[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6512401,"mediaKeyId","5113989-9468a45555ced2c6be49bf270bc0c4d6","parentId",5113989,"title","Assembly committee advances SB 72 to set statewide water-supply targets and update California Water Plan","audioSeconds",2098,"startMs",2641000,"endMs",4739000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113989-9468a45555ced2c6be49bf270bc0c4d6&start=2641&end=4739","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113989-9468a45555ced2c6be49bf270bc0c4d6/thumbnail_2641000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6512401/California/Assembly-committee-advances-SB-72-to-set-statewide-water-supply-targets-and-update-California-Water-Plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512401-fb4dad75c99e7d66cca50704d263b651/orig.mp4?Expires=1770751278&Signature=XQ~bLyU6zZVaLoEbsDbXLPDwr-zbdlZyY33d0CrUsqimoI5TeusJig8-QzdXbymxzVflymdhAUK0kDQsvQJlJt6olju1iEFU14rMhlzpgQQQQekkr~hM8yyw5yvzyM~JkoT62cQq3d54Q6ZJS-ZntfZVdnWGpV85ATdT4bIkpy1OLV0sRNVvpeIa1pm1XMfrUm3J9bIEtfPDGRU3i5iCqMevX6bHXDuyiGgdn2a3ojtOTl~U6fsyv2kPsNYmncdVWtdI~yUxzy26iON9lhPr4EVXMRUrJ-iqh-bjjtyaR7LmVEwZi2FrlWc3nMq3FkqZPwZOoV4J-QD24Q4YfqIaeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Assembly","date","2025-07-01T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Caballero presented SB 72 to the Assembly committee, saying the bill would modernize the California Water Plan to reflect the state’s changing climate and establish long-term water-supply targets to help ensure “a drought-proof future.”

The bill would set an interim statewide target of 9,000,000 acre-feet of additional water by 2040 and direct the Department of Water Resources to develop any further long-term targets. “Meaningful revisions to the water plan have not been made for 20 years,” Senator Caballero said, arguing that extreme weather patterns have “profoundly impacted water supply in the state for virtually all beneficial uses.”

Nut graf: Proponents said SB 72 creates planning requirements and a statewide target intended to coordinate investment in projects such as desalination, recycling, groundwater recharge and storage. Opponents warned the target could spur overbuilding and strain in-stream flows; testimony and committee discussion focused on the bill’s scientific basis, how local ecology and fish flows would be protected, and the bill’s role in tying future infrastructure funding to a statewide plan.

Craig Miller, general manager of Western Municipal Water District and then-president of the California Municipal Utilities Association, urged support and described operational risks for water providers. “Three years ago the State Water Project was not doing well…by 2021 we had a zero allocation,” Miller said, adding that his district serves about 1 million people and that 60% of its water comes from the State Water Project. Miller and other municipal managers testified that the bill would set actionable targets and help justify infrastructure investments to capture and store water during wet years.

Paul Helliker, general manager of San Juan Water District, also testified in support, citing “weather whiplash” — rapid swings between drought and heavy precipitation — and arguing SB 72 would set targets and a strategic plan to meet them. Dozens of water agencies, trade associations and local governments registered support during the hearing, including the California Municipal Utilities Association, Association of California Water Agencies, California State Association of Counties and numerous municipal and regional water districts.

Opponents included Dennis O’Connor of the Mono Lake Committee, who said the bill risks “overbuilding or over investing” if the 9,000,000 acre-foot target overstates future demand. O’Connor also cautioned that California’s rivers and streams are largely fully or over-appropriated already and that higher supply targets could make establishing minimum in-stream flows more difficult.

Committee members pressed on the evidence behind the 9,000,000 acre-foot figure and how SB 72 would account for local ecological needs such as fish minimum flows. Senator Caballero said the number came from a state-commissioned study that peer-reviewed multiple earlier estimates and that planners must consider both the quantity and timing of water availability — not just total supply — because fish and other ecological needs depend on when water is delivered.

The committee voted to pass SB 72 to the Appropriations Committee. The motion carried on a roll call in which committee members voiced their support during the item (see actions). The senator closed by reiterating the bill’s planning focus and asking for an aye vote.

Ending: SB 72 now goes to Appropriations, where cost and finance considerations are expected to receive more scrutiny. The bill’s supporters said a validated statewide plan would be central to making future infrastructure bond investments targeted and defensible; opponents said the state must balance new supply planning with protections for existing in-stream uses and ecosystems.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Caballero presented SB 72 to the Assembly committee, saying the bill would modernize the California Water Plan to reflect the state’s changing climate and establish long-term water-supply targets to help ensure “a drought-proof future.”","taxTitle","California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California","taxId",17099,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6512391,"Assembly committee approves SB 697 to allow digital tools in stream adjudication investigations",622,5398000,6020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113989-9468a45555ced2c6be49bf270bc0c4d6&start=5398&end=6020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113989-9468a45555ced2c6be49bf270bc0c4d6/thumbnail_5398000.jpg","/articles/6512391/California/Assembly-committee-approves-SB-697-to-allow-digital-tools-in-stream-adjudication-investigations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512391-740986f7fe32218652925f6e86512d0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770751278&Signature=M0-GOvHiougSaxmX47ojb3VkkPD3hm5yNBfqtr4sLDMISXV4Oz6xlEUhxSNEXC3JIYgmfsaG1trzgBXWyNHsi1RMK-L6CqlSYVjBudoLWrspiahXaOsAUKYi69U8zL1qJIs3eQVZIBdh4r1~aKA5pSAl0qOOWN6lSFrxE5trcHKHog4O0KxvZeCu7kP1OobZD5KZHtHY5sT6kWEJEXaAU-Xc0CK1vtt9snu60ns0RXboqewrxPtPOVyRcJ6MBXqhqFK650NdBy74KuBdRTmSY~T8ahFe1rbZzpsccB125PqBqSb13sjrYuNSYYIs6cxTYnAhPOAH6rTHVRn1xVjOcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Laird presented SB 697, which updates the procedures governing the stream-system adjudication process and authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to use modern technology — such as remote gauges and digitized records — in investigations related to water-rights claims. She said the adjudication statute had not been updated since 1976 and that the bill preserves the board’s authority to conduct field investigations when necessary.

Nut graf: Supporters described SB 697 as a narrow modernization to improve efficiency and incorporate real-time data, not as a change to underlying water-rights doctrines. The bill’s author and committee amendments addressed stakeholder concerns, and no organized opposition remained at the hearing.

Senator Laird said the bill removes antiquated requirements that can force investigators to travel hundreds of miles for in-person visits when remote instrumentation and digitized materials can provide reliable evidence. She noted the bill was amended to resolve stakeholder concerns and that those stakeholders had withdrawn their letters of concern.

Committee members asked whether the bill could be used to alter pre-1914 water rights; Laird replied it would not, calling that “a thermonuclear issue,” and said SB 697 is intended only to modernize investigatory methods.

The committee voted to pass SB 697 as amended to the Judiciary Committee. The motion carried on roll call (see actions). Senator Laird closed by asking for a aye vote and thanking the committee for working with stakeholders on amendments.

Ending: SB 697 advances to Judiciary for further consideration of legal and procedural implications; supporters say the change will reduce travel burdens and speed investigations, while preserving the board’s authority to conduct in-person field work where warranted.","SB 697 would allow the State Water Resources Control Board to use modern technology and remote data in investigations for stream adjudications; the committee accepted amendments and advanced the measure to Judiciary.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6512397,"Committee advances bill to require local skilled workforce on Salton Sea restoration projects",545,4799000,5344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113989-9468a45555ced2c6be49bf270bc0c4d6&start=4799&end=5344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113989-9468a45555ced2c6be49bf270bc0c4d6/thumbnail_4799000.jpg","/articles/6512397/California/Committee-advances-bill-to-require-local-skilled-workforce-on-Salton-Sea-restoration-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512397-99410230eef0cb1a345fbbd783679a7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770751278&Signature=JhwnfHZ1S5FFlrNWSPcQeE2dqPVi6QRehkf6jdB4JL-tPFGpoTu1duoTYVw528LQlK8wiw8cinmVKWFEQ3tVoiIpDT9CmzmzsWid8rdJDfKZeqajN8Nk3sDZDjuhVUCninHgimOZ8Am6SPEgnFjVaaOeDdX0yDUhcwwW63SsY64YffVst~jDFb4oTIKadVowS0ZoL3OKWc0jaszgCi0zQ0u4jMcOMUAJDPOK6N7Ag9mwgnu2fjd3xnMYVR8fs3WT6RdgLjlUQvhaG4hKtd7un4Ct7D2r1kZ-h5eoJPq9gytZCtyKeHJQjtofFL~ojr7tcyH6z0XC3BSb3Tna-KcAyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Padilla introduced SB 369, which would statutorily require the use of a local skilled-and-trained workforce on Salton Sea restoration projects. Padilla said the lake’s shrinking inflows have raised salinity and dust exposure risks, and that codifying workforce standards will protect workers and create a pipeline of local jobs for the Imperial Valley.

Nut graf: The bill seeks to convert existing administrative workforce requirements into law — ensuring that restoration contractors use workers who have graduated from state-registered apprenticeship programs, that local hiring is prioritized, and that workers receive living wages and health and welfare benefits.

Matt Kremens, representing the California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers and a bill sponsor, said the Salton Sea’s toxic lake bed and poor air quality make worker protections essential and that Imperial County’s unemployment rate is exceptionally high (the witness cited 17.4%). Keith Dunn of the State Building Trades emphasized safety and training for workers exposed to hazardous conditions and said the skilled-and-trained requirement also creates career pathways with retirement and benefits.

Supporters included labor and contractor groups, local trade councils and unions, and several building trades organizations. Todd Bloemstein of the Southern California Contractors Association, Mitchell Bechtel of the District Council of Ironworkers, and Elmer Lazardi of the California Federation of Labor Unions spoke in favor.

No witnesses registered opposition during the hearing; committee members asked about local agency positions and tribal input. Senator Padilla said his office has discussed the bill with regional agencies and that he was not aware of any registered opposition from those agencies.

The committee voted to pass SB 369 to the Labor and Employment Committee. The motion carried on roll call (see actions). Senator Padilla closed by stressing the combination of public-health risk at the Salton Sea and the need for generational jobs in the region.

Ending: With the bill advanced to the Labor and Employment Committee, its proponents said codifying workforce standards would lock in protections now applied administratively and help ensure local hiring as restoration work advances; the committee did not record opposition on the floor.","SB 369 would codify a requirement that restoration work at the Salton Sea use a local skilled-and-trained workforce, aiming to protect worker safety, provide higher wages and build a local job pipeline for Imperial Valley residents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly committee advances SB 72 to set statewide water-supply targets and update California Water Plan

Assembly committee approves SB 697 to allow digital tools in stream adjudication investigations

Committee advances bill to require local skilled workforce on Salton Sea restoration projects