WatchGov

California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California AB 639

Dams: exceptions.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary

Existing law defines a dam to mean any artificial barrier, together with appurtenant works, that does or may impound or divert water, and meets other specified criteria. Existing law excludes from the definition a barrier that is or will be not in excess of 6 feet in height, regardless of storage capacity, or that has or will have a storage capacity not in excess of 15 acre-feet, regardless of height. Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to supervise the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, maintenance, operation, and removal of dams and reservoirs for the protection of life and property. This bill would additionally exclude from the definition of a dam a barrier that does not impound water above the top of a levee where maximum storage behind the barrier has a minimum of 3 feet of freeboard on the levee and is a weir, as defined, but would apply only to specified weirs named in the bill.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 16, 2026, 4:04 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Sep 4, 2025
House		AB 639 Soria Concurrence in Senate AmendmentspassSet your home in California to see
Sep 3, 2025
Senate		3rd Reading AB639 Soria By CaballeropassSet your home in California to see
Jun 10, 2025
Senate		Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Apr 21, 2025
House		AB 639 Soria Assembly Third ReadingpassSet your home in California to see
Apr 9, 2025
House		Do pass.passSet your home in California to see
Mar 25, 2025
House		Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see

Actions