Legislation to transform California’s water management approach has passed the California Assembly floor and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.
The bill, SB 72, addresses the state's lack of water with multiple strategies to codify water supply targets, enhance the existing California Water Plan to plan water needs by region, and legislate reporting collaboration among the water community and all stakeholders.
“I’m proud of my colleagues' support on SB 72 in both houses. This bill represents a clear opportunity for the Governor to reaffirm his climate leadership and embrace new and bold strategies to address water supply challenges. The Department of Water Resources’ new State Water Project Adaptation Strategy underscores the urgency of this bill, which is a necessary next step to secure California’s water future in the face of intensifying climate threats,” said California State Senator Anna Caballero, the bill’s author.
Backed by a broad coalition of water, environmental, business, public safety, and agricultural stakeholders, SB 72 is co-sponsored by the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB), and would transform water management in California to:
• Establish necessary statewide water supply targets to capture and produce enough water for all uses;
• Require the State, water community, and stakeholders to work together to develop comprehensive, long-term water supply solutions.
• Enhance the California Water Plan to drought-proof the state
• Complement Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy to ensure water supply planning targets and action extend beyond any single administration.
"Water managers across the state agree, SB 72 is the next step we need to turn a scarcity mindset into a coordinated, climate-resilient strategy. It sets real goals and planning requirements to ensure water reliability for all - communities, farms, ecosystems - no matter what the climate throws at us,” said Craig Miller, General Manager of Western Water. “We urge Governor Newsom’s support of SB 72 as it will lock in California’s commitment to meeting the water needs for all, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to addressing California’s perpetual water supply challenges.”
“As a proud co-sponsor of SB 72, we are encouraged by the overwhelming legislative support of the bill and are hopeful that Governor Newsom will also recognize the critical value and sense of urgency of signing this bill into law,” said Danielle Blacet-Hyden, Executive Director of CMUA and bill co-sponsor. “SB 72 will advance Governor Newsom’s climate and water resource objectives for California to deliver a drought-resilient, equitable water system. SB 72 codifies his vision into lasting law.”
“Our counties are the first responders when our communities run out of water, and we can’t plan for housing growth without it,” said Graham Knaus, CEO of CSAC and bill co-sponsor. “But the state's current strategy dates back to the 1960s and lacks any clear, measurable goals. It’s time for California’s water policy to join the 21st century. Sen. Caballero’s common-sense, bipartisan bill gets it done.”
“On behalf of our coalition of business, labor and public leaders statewide, CCEEB has been proud to co-sponsor and partner with Senator Caballero and many organizations statewide to pass such transformative water legislation,” said Tim Carmichael, President of CCEEB and bill co-sponsor. “The passage of SB 72 is a critical step towards ensuring comprehensive, coordinated, and resilient water supply planning and development for California.”
