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AB 638

Relating to: student financial protection at certain private postsecondary schools. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Margaret Arney and 17 co-sponsors

Direct the State Water Resources Control Board to develop public-health–informed guidance by 12/1/2026 on using captured stormwater to irrigate urban public lands, offsetting potab

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
0
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Bill Summary · AB 638

Note on content: The materials provided for AB 638 relate to stormwater capture and irrigation guidance (adding Water Code §10566). The bill text and legislative documents below are summarized as provided. (The initial user title referencing “student financial protection” does not match these documents.)

Bill at a glance

  • Bill number: AB 638
  • Author (per documents): Celeste Rodriguez
  • Subject: Stormwater capture and use for irrigation of urban public lands
  • Code change: Adds Water Code Section 10566
  • Introduced: February 13, 2025
  • Key deadline: Board recommendations due on or before December 1, 2026
  • Status highlights: Passed Assembly (3rd reading) June 2, 2025 (Ayes 79–Noes 0); referred to Senate committees; held under submission in committee (latest procedural entry: August 29, 2025). Representative Subeck later added as a coauthor (Nov 21, 2025).

Purpose / Intent

To direct the State Water Resources Control Board (the board) to develop public-health–informed recommendations that facilitate the capture and use of stormwater for irrigating urban public lands, with the goal of offsetting potable water demand while minimizing public health risks.

Key provisions

  • Adds Water Code §10566 requiring the State Water Resources Control Board, by December 1, 2026, to develop recommendations for stormwater capture and use specifically for irrigation of “urban public lands.”
  • Required elements of the recommendations include, at minimum:
    • Identification of opportunities to use captured stormwater for irrigation to offset potable water demand in a manner that poses minimal to no public health risks.
    • Recommendations addressing pathogens and pathogen indicators, total suspended solids (TSS), toxics, and both structural and nonstructural best management practices (BMPs) to reduce potential health risks.
  • Public process requirements:
    • The board must solicit and receive written public comment on proposed recommendations.
    • The board must hold a public hearing and approve the final recommendations only after completing that hearing.

Definition

  • “Urban public lands” means land in an urban area owned by the state, a city, or a county, or land dedicated for public access, including but not limited to parks, street medians and parkways, and golf courses.

Who is affected / potential impacts

  • State Water Resources Control Board: required to prepare and adopt recommended guidance by the specified deadline and conduct public outreach/hearing.
  • Local and regional water managers, park agencies, municipal governments, and public-land stewards: the guidance may inform planning and implementation of stormwater capture systems for irrigation on public lands and influence local Stormwater Resource Plans.
  • Public health and water-quality stakeholders: recommendations must address pathogen/TSS/toxics concerns and BMPs, shaping risk-management practices.
  • Potential benefits: reduced potable water use for irrigation, increased use of stormwater as a resource.
  • Fiscal impact: Digest indicates “No appropriation” but referral to fiscal committees; implementation may involve staff time at the board and later local project costs when applying guidance.

Procedural notes

  • The bill was developed and amended through multiple Assembly and Senate committee hearings (Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials; Natural Resources & Water; Environmental Quality; Appropriations).
  • Latest recorded committee action (per provided timeline): held under submission (Aug 29, 2025). Check current legislative status for updates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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