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AB 22182025–2026 SessionIN COMMITTEEDEMOCRAT

Water policy: California Native American tribes.

Introduced Feb 19, 2026Ash Kalra (D-CA)1 cosponsor

Summary

Existing law establishes various state water policies, including the policy that the use of water for domestic purposes is the highest use of water and the human right to water. This bill would declare that it is the established policy of the state to acknowledge and correct the inequities caused by state-sanctioned acts of termination, removal, and assimilation inflicted upon all California Native American tribes through compensation, legal recognition of rights, or replacement of benefits lost. The bill would require all relevant state agencies, including the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board, to consider and incorporate this policy when revising, adopting, or establishing rights, policies, regulations, permits, or grant criteria to address identified inequities.

Bill text versions

Legislative Journey

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Floor
  4. Passed Chamber 1
  5. Passed Chamber 2
  6. Signed
Feb 19, 2026

Read first time. To print.

House
Feb 20, 2026

From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.

House
Mar 9, 2026

Referred to Coms. on W., P., & W. and E.S & T.M.

House
Mar 24, 2026

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

House
Mar 26, 2026

Assembly Rule 56 suspended.

House
Mar 26, 2026

(Pending re-refer to Com. on E.S. & T.M.)

House