California Council on Science and Technology: water availability study: Central Valley.

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Signed into Law

Summary

The bill directs the Department of Water Resources, working with the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, to pick two Central Valley‑related watersheds by Jan. 1 2028 and commission the California Council on Science and Technology to complete a comprehensive water‑availability study. The study must chart historic daily flows, existing diversion limits and use, water‑quality and environmental flow needs, and identify periods of excess water that could be stored underground. The legislation also adds a definition of “best available science” to the Water Code and updates groundwater‑related definitions.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Vote

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 60. Noes 9. Page 5466.) · May 27, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 13, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 3, 2026
• Natural Resources and Water Committee Hearing
  Natural Resources and Water · Jul 1, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 14, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 6, 2026

History

1. May 28, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2. May 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 60. Noes 9.)
3. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
4. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (May 14).
5. May 6, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
6. Apr 23, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7. Apr 16, 2026Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
8. Apr 15, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. Read second time and amended.
9. Mar 23, 2026Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
10. Mar 19, 2026Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
11. Mar 19, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. Read second time and amended.
12. Feb 21, 2026From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

The 12 most recent of 13 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Diane Papan (D) · sponsor
• Papan

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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