WatchGov

California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California SB 1125

Water Rate Assistance Program.

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

Sponsors

Cosponsors (4)

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· 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.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 14, 2026, 12:15 PM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Aug 26, 2026
Senate		Unfinished Business SB1125 Menjivar et al. ConcurrencepassSet your home in California to see
Aug 25, 2026
House		SB 1125 Menjivar Senate Third Reading By Celeste RodriguezpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 13, 2026
House		Do pass as amended.passSet your home in California to see
Jun 24, 2026
House		Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Jun 16, 2026
House		Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Utilities and Energy]passSet your home in California to see
May 27, 2026
Senate		3rd Reading SB1125 Menjivar et al.passSet your home in California to see
May 14, 2026
Senate		Do pass as amendedpassSet your home in California to see
May 4, 2026
Senate		Placed on suspense filepassSet your home in California to see
Apr 21, 2026
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Apr 8, 2026
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Rules]passSet your home in California to see

Actions