AB 263

Existing law provides that an emergency regulation adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board following a Governor’s proclamation of a state of emergency based on drought conditions, for which the board makes specified findings, may remain in effect for up to one year, as provided, and may be renewed if the board determines that specified conditions relating to precipitation are still in effect. This bill would provide that specified emergency regulations adopted by the board for the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds shall remain in effect until January 1, 2031, or until permanent rules establishing and implementing long-term instream flow requirements are adopted for those watersheds, whichever occurs first. The bill would require the board to provide annual public updates, including opportunities for public comment, on its progress toward developing permanent flow rules for the rivers, as provided. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds.