All Roll Calls
Yes: 245 • No: 0
CaliforniaAB 15202025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Public resources: conservation.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 7 mixed.
Habitat bank fees and timelines
You pay $25,000 when you submit each habitat bank agreement package. If you file changes the department did not ask for, you pay an added $10,000 and a new 90‑day review starts. The department has 30 days to check completeness and 90 days to decide if a complete package is acceptable, with one 60‑day extension for big or complex packages. If requested extra information is not sent within 60 days, the package is not acceptable. Your package must include management plans, a conservation easement or deed, maps and a credit ledger, financial assurances, a long‑term cost analysis, and a Phase I environmental site assessment dated within six months using the ASTM E1527‑05 standard.
Longer leases for big park projects
Lodging concessions that need more than $1,500,000 in initial work can run up to 50 years. At Will Rogers State Beach, projects tied to a concession can get up to a 50‑year term and are exempt from city demolition, grading, building, and discretionary permits, but still need County approval and a Coastal Commission permit. The Crystal Cove concession may be extended up to 20 years if needed to qualify for federal rehabilitation tax credits, and related third‑party funds must pay for Phase III cottage restoration. In Old Town San Diego, terms can be up to 30 years (or extended 30 years) and must include at least $3,000,000 in capital improvements paid by the concessionaire that become state property.
Protections for rivers and fish habitat
The law blocks new dams, reservoirs, diversions, and similar impoundments on listed parts of the McCloud River and Yét Atwam Creek. Agencies generally cannot help those projects, with narrow exceptions for Shasta Dam studies and a McCloud Dam retrofit that does not change downstream flows. The state updates wild and scenic river classifications. Fish and Wildlife can manage prime salmon and steelhead spawning areas on state land and can stop harmful stream changes when ownership is unclear, subject to listed exceptions.
State water plan: updates and terms
The California Water Plan is updated every five years with an open advisory committee and public review of drafts. A “water year” runs from October 1 to September 30, with related terms defined. If a 2025 law (SB 72) changes Water Code Section 10004 and takes effect by January 1, 2026, that newer text controls.
Water rights fees and renewals
You must pay a $850 filing fee to Fish and Wildlife when you apply to divert water where fish live. Some filings are exempt, and multiple related filings can pay once. The CDTFA collects water fees, and money goes to the Water Rights Fund. Small-use registrations renew every five years by law if all annual fees are paid and reports are on time. The Water Board can set fees for federal certificates, but total fee revenue must match the Budget Act. Every office must run a fee accountability program so fees are no more than needed and notify the Legislature before raising fixed fees.
New rules for habitat contracts
Fish and Wildlife can give grants and sign contracts with public agencies, tribes, and nonprofits to restore habitat. These agreements are treated as service contracts, not public works, which reduces Labor Code requirements. Some projects are excluded, like office buildings, hatcheries, permanent roads, engineered projects, and most private contracts over $50,000. For approved waterfowl projects, the department can grant funds to nonprofits or reimburse the property controller for costs with the property controller’s approval.
Park concessions: audits, insurance, and terms
Park concessionaires must file an annual financial statement prepared or audited by a CPA and are subject to state audits. They must keep a performance bond or deposit and liability insurance naming the state. Concession terms are up to 10 years unless the director allows longer; no term can exceed 20 years without a specific law. For concessions longer than three years, the state must publicly notice the request for proposals and include where to get forms and when to submit.
Stronger water‑quality penalties and options
Courts can fine up to $25,000 per day for violations, and agencies can fine up to $10,000 per day, plus per‑gallon penalties in some cases. Each serious or qualifying repeat violation has a $3,000 minimum. With the discharger’s consent, part of a penalty can fund a supplemental environmental project: up to the first $15,000, then half of any amount above $15,000. Small publicly owned treatment works serving small communities can spend the same dollars on a board‑approved project that fixes violations within five years instead of paying some minimum fines. Late payers owe interest, attorney fees, collection costs, and a quarterly nonpayment penalty of 20% of the unpaid total; the Attorney General can collect. Collected money goes to the Cleanup and Abatement Account or, for certain certification cases, the Waste Discharge Permit Fund; the board must post enforcement data online and file an annual report by December 31. Amendments to certain penalty parts apply only to violations on or after January 1, 2003.
Water board hearings use officers
A hearing officer from the Administrative Hearings Office now runs most listed State Water Board hearings, like complaints, cease‑and‑desist notices, and permit or license revocations. Hearing officers can also handle non‑conflicting tasks, such as mediations.
Old Water Code sections repealed
The law repeals Part 8 of Division 2 of the Water Code and Sections 12949.6 and 13418. Rules and programs in those sections no longer apply.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/10/2025
Item 227 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 79 • No: 0
Senate vote • 9/9/2025
Item 275 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 40 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/25/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 6 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/8/2025
Vote in CS55
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 6/3/2025
Item 142 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 79 • No: 0
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 14 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/29/2025
Vote in CX24
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 401, Statutes of 2025.
10/6/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/6/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
9/22/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3208.).
9/10/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/9/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2735.).
9/9/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/8/2025SenateRead third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/5/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to suspense file.
8/25/2025Senate(Ayes 27. Noes 0. Page 2172.)
8/18/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR.
8/18/2025SenateIn committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
8/7/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/14/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 8).
7/10/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
6/23/2025SenateReferred to Com. on N.R. & W.
6/18/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
6/4/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1999.)
6/3/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
5/23/2025HouseIn committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
5/14/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4/30/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on W. P., & W.
4/23/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/6/2025
Enrolled
9/12/2025
Amended Senate
9/5/2025
Amended Senate
8/18/2025
Amended Senate
7/14/2025
Amended Senate
6/23/2025
Amended Assembly
4/22/2025
Introduced
3/13/2025