California SB 1125 — Water Rate Assistance Program.

California, 20252026. SB 1125: Water Rate Assistance Program.

Plural source record ↗

Official legislative source ↗

Latest action

September 30, 2026 — In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.

Summary

Existing law requires the State Water Resources Control Board to develop a plan for the funding and implementation of the Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program. Existing law requires the plan to include, among other things, a description of the method for collecting moneys to support and implement the program and a description of the method for determining the amount of moneys that may need to be collected from water ratepayers to fund the program. This bill would establish the Water Rate Assistance Program. As part of the program, the bill would establish the Water Rate Assistance Fund in the State Treasury, available upon appropriation by the Legislature, to provide water affordability assistance for residential water services to low-income residential ratepayers, as specified. The bill would establish separate implementation procedures depending on whether the state board determines that the Legislature appropriated enough moneys from the fund for a partial implementation of the program or a statewide implementation of the program. The bill would require the state board to take various actions in administering the fund, including, among other things, tracking and managing revenue in the fund separately from all other revenue. The bill would require the state board, in consultation with relevant agencies and after a public hearing, to adopt guidelines for implementation of the program and to adopt and submit a report to the Legislature or post the report on its internet website, as specified. The bill would require the guidelines to include minimum requirements for eligible systems, including the ability to confirm eligibility for enrollment through a request for self-certification of eligibility under penalty of perjury. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the state board to take various actions in administering the program, including, but not limited to, providing guidance, oversight, and funding for low-income rate assistance for residential ratepayers of eligible systems. The bill would authorize the Attorney General, at the request of the state board, to bring an action in state court to restrain the use of any method, act, or practice in violation of these provisions, except as provided. The bill would make the implementation of all of these provisions contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

• Menjivar — primary sponsor
• Durazo
• Gonzalez
• Calderon
• Schiavo

Bill text

SB1125 Read version ↗

02/17/26 - Introduced Read version ↗

03/25/26 - Amended Senate Read version ↗

05/14/26 - Amended Senate Read version ↗

06/09/26 - Amended Assembly Read version ↗

08/13/26 - Amended Assembly Read version ↗

08/19/26 - Amended Assembly Read version ↗

08/28/26 - Enrolled Read version ↗

Recorded votes

Legislative history

1. September 30, 2026In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
2. September 30, 2026Vetoed by the Governor.
3. August 31, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 6 p.m.
4. August 26, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 31. Noes 9. Page 5915.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 25, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. August 25, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 62. Noes 10. Page 6473.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. August 19, 2026Ordered to third reading.
8. August 19, 2026Read third time and amended.
9. August 17, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. August 13, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
11. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (August 13).
12. August 13, 2026Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
13. August 5, 2026August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
14. June 25, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 1.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
15. June 25, 2026Coauthors revised.
16. June 17, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
17. June 9, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
18. June 4, 2026Referred to Coms. on E.S & T.M. and U. & E.
19. May 27, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
20. May 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 30. Noes 9. Page 4499.) Ordered to the Assembly.
21. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
22. May 14, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
23. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 1. Page 4265.) (May 14).
24. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.
25. May 4, 2026May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
26. April 24, 2026Set for hearing May 4.
27. April 22, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 1. Page 3974.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
28. April 16, 2026Set for hearing April 21.
29. April 15, 2026Re-referred to Com. on E., U & C.
30. April 8, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on RLS. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 3792.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
31. March 25, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.
32. March 10, 2026Set for hearing April 8.
33. February 26, 2026Referred to Com. on E.Q.
34. February 18, 2026From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 20.
35. February 17, 2026Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

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