Status:
Passed the Assembly on May 27, 2026. Received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committees on Natural Resources and Water and Environmental Quality on June 10, 2026. Passed the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water on June 23, 2026, and was re-referred to the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality on June 24, 2026. Passed the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality on July 1, 2026. Amended in the Senate and re-referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations on July 2, 2026.
The bill advanced through both Senate policy committees and is now pending before the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Date of Status:
Last Verified July 14, 2026.
Purpose:
AB 2026 establishes a policy framework to expand groundwater recharge opportunities in the Sacramento Valley. It seeks to streamline permitting and reduce regulatory barriers for projects that capture excess surface water for underground storage. The bill focuses on supporting recharge efforts by water agencies, irrigation districts, and landowners in alignment with SGMA objectives.
Impact on Water Industry:
The bill could enable faster development of groundwater recharge projects by simplifying approval processes. It may improve water supply reliability by increasing the use of excess flows for aquifer replenishment during wet periods. Final impacts will depend on how future amendments address water rights, environmental flows, and interagency coordination.
Funding:
No direct funding is provided. Implementation would likely rely on existing grant programs, local agency resources, and potential future appropriations.
