Bill > AB362

This bill aims to enhance water policy protections for California tribal communities by adding several key provisions to the state's water quality regulations. It expands the definition of "beneficial uses" of water to explicitly include tribal water uses and requires state and regional water boards to consider tribal ecological knowledge and water needs when making regulatory decisions. The bill mandates that any water-related project or program must describe how it will impact tribal water uses, and requires the State Water Resources Control Board to publish biennial reports on implementation. It also requires the state board to consult with tribal communities when formulating water quality policies and to propose water quality standards that protect tribal water uses, specifically targeting the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed by January 1, 2027. Additionally, the bill requires the California Water Quality Monitoring Council to incorporate tribal community participation and seek ways to achieve and maintain tribal water uses through regulatory actions and habitat management programs. By recognizing the historical injustices faced by tribal communities and their unique relationship with water resources, the bill seeks to provide more comprehensive environmental protections and decision-making processes that respect tribal perspectives and needs.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB362