Waste discharge requirements: minimum penalties: exception: publicly owned treatment works.

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 amends the Water Code to let the State Water Resources Control Board or a regional board replace mandatory minimum penalties with a funded compliance project for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) serving 3,000 people or fewer that can show financial hardship. It also restates existing civil liability limits, minimum daily penalties, and exemptions for certain emergencies, while setting procedures for supplemental environmental projects and fund deposits. The changes aim to ease the financial burden on very small communities while keeping enforcement strong.

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

Vote

From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 3792.) (April 8). · Apr 8, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 14, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Apr 27, 2026
• Environmental Quality Committee Hearing
  Environmental Quality · Apr 8, 2026
• Environmental Quality
  Senate Environmental Quality Committee · Apr 8, 2026

History

1. May 14, 2026May 14 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.
3. Apr 27, 2026April 27 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
4. Apr 17, 2026Set for hearing April 27.
5. Apr 16, 2026April 20 hearing postponed by committee.
6. Apr 14, 2026Set for hearing April 20.
7. Apr 9, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
8. Apr 8, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 3792.) (April 8).
9. Mar 10, 2026Set for hearing April 8.
10. Feb 26, 2026Referred to Com. on E.Q.
11. Feb 17, 2026From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 16.
12. Feb 13, 2026Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Sponsors

• Laird · sponsor

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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