Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986: settlements: attorney’s fees.

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. Enacted

Summary

The bill changes California’s Proposition 65 law so that any settlement in a public‑interest lawsuit must be approved by a judge who must find the settlement provides a public benefit, includes a reasonable attorney‑fee award, and meets warning or exposure‑reduction requirements. It also creates new reporting duties for the Attorney General, sets civil penalties up to $2,500 per day, and establishes a process for the Attorney General to object to fee awards. The changes aim to ensure settlements truly protect the public and are financially fair.

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

Vote

Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6456.). · Aug 25, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 3, 2026
• Environmental Quality Committee Hearing
  Environmental Quality · Jul 1, 2026
• Judiciary Committee Hearing
  Judiciary · Jun 16, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 6, 2026
• Judiciary
  Judiciary · Apr 21, 2026

History

1. May 27, 2026Referred to Coms. on JUD. and E.Q.
2. May 14, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 5050.)
3. May 14, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
4. May 7, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. May 6, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 6).
6. Apr 22, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7. Apr 15, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
8. Mar 23, 2026Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
9. Mar 19, 2026Referred to Coms. on E.S & T.M. and JUD.
10. Mar 19, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. Read second time and amended.
11. Feb 21, 2026From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
12. Feb 20, 2026Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

• Damon Connolly (D) · sponsor
• Connolly

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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