Bill > AB1466

This bill modifies California's groundwater adjudication process by changing the burden of proof and introducing new requirements for technical reporting in groundwater rights cases. Specifically, if a party is seeking judicial review of an action taken by a groundwater sustainability agency (GSA) under a groundwater sustainability plan approved by the Department of Water Resources, that party will have the burden of proof using a "substantial evidence" standard of review. The bill also requires courts to request that GSAs provide a technical report describing the groundwater use of parties who have not appeared in court, including those potentially excused or in default. These technical reports will be considered prima facie evidence of the physical facts they describe, though parties can still offer evidence to rebut the report. The GSA providing the report will be reimbursed for its expenses in preparing the report, with the court determining an equitable way to apportion these costs among the parties. This bill is part of California's ongoing efforts to manage groundwater resources more effectively, building on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which requires comprehensive management of high- and medium-priority groundwater basins.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1466