Bill Text: CA SB737 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Groundwater: recharge.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2024-02-01 - Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [SB737 Detail]

Download: California-2023-SB737-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 737

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Introduced by Senator Hurtado

February 17, 2023

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An act relating to water.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 737, as introduced, Hurtado. Groundwater: recharge.

Existing law declares that groundwater recharge is an effective way to maximize availability of scarce water supplies throughout the state. Existing law further declares that it is necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the state that the groundwater basins of the state be recharged.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to capture floodwater to recharge groundwater basins and to require the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board to work together to expedite the regulatory steps necessary to store significant rainfall and excess water underground, while still ensuring protections for the environment and other water users as required by state law.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to capture floodwater to recharge groundwater basins in order to adapt to more extreme weather patterns caused by climate change and to require the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board to work together to expedite the regulatory steps necessary to store significant rainfall and excess water underground, while still ensuring protections for the environment and other water users as required by state law.