AB 717: Water rights: appropriation: small restoration use.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Water Rights Permitting Reform Act of 1988, authorizes any person to obtain a right to appropriate water for a small domestic, small irrigation, or livestock stockpond use, as defined, upon registering the use with the State Water Resources Control Board, as prescribed, payment of a registration fee, and application of the water to reasonable and beneficial use with due diligence. Existing law requires a person, in registering their water use to the board, to set forth a certification that the registrant has contacted the Department of Fish and Wildlife and to include a copy of any conditions required by the department.

This bill would authorize any person to also obtain a right to appropriate water for a small restoration use, as defined. The bill would also authorize a person to apply for a restoration management permit from the Department of Fish and Wildlife, as provided, and if the permit is issued, the person would be required to include a copy of any conditions required by the restoration management permit with the required certification.

Existing law exempts certain stream segments subject to certain minimum streamflow requirements from the provisions of the act upon proper registration.

This bill, if the Director of Fish and Wildlife establishes proposed streamflow requirements for a stream segment, as specified, would instead prohibit the authorization of a registration for that stream segment until the board establishes instream flow requirements as a part of the general conditions applicable to that stream segment. The bill would require that the establishment of those instream flow requirements be done after the board considers the proposed streamflow requirements, if proposed by the director.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 2, 2026From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. January 31, 2026Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
3. May 23, 2025In committee: Held under submission.
4. April 30, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
5. April 9, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6. March 11, 2025Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
7. March 10, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W. P., & W. Read second time and amended.
8. March 10, 2025Referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
9. February 15, 2025From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.
10. February 14, 2025Read first time. To print.