SB 697: Determination of water rights: stream system.

Official summary

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

(1)Existing law authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to hold proceedings to determine all rights to water of a stream system whether based upon appropriation, riparian right, or other basis of right. Existing law provides various requirements for the board when determining adjudication of water rights, including, among other things, performing a detailed field investigation of a stream system, as defined, issuing an order of determination, providing notice and a hearing process, and filing a final order.

This bill would revise the above-described provisions regarding the board’s statutory adjudication of water rights during an investigation of a stream system to, among other things, require representatives of the board to investigate in detail the use of water with the authority, but no requirement, to conduct a field investigation, authorize the board, if the board determines that the information provided by the person, as specified, is inadequate, to issue information orders that require claimants to submit reports of water use from the stream system through a form provided by the board, and require claimants to respond to that order within 75 days of the date of issuance by the board.

(2)Existing law establishes procedures for reconsideration and amendment of specified decisions and orders of the board. Existing law authorizes any party aggrieved by a specified decision or order of the board to file, not later than 30 days from the date of final board action, a petition for writ of mandate for judicial review of the decision or order.

This bill would apply the procedures for reconsideration, amendment, and judicial review to decisions and orders of the board issued pursuant to the provisions described above.

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. October 6, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 422, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 6, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 9, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. September 2, 2025Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 2410.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 29, 2025In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. August 29, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 66. Noes 0. Page 2793.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. August 21, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. August 20, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (August 20).
9. July 9, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. July 3, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
11. July 2, 2025From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (July 1).
12. June 5, 2025Referred to Coms. on W. P., & W. and JUD.