WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 72

The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Juan Alanis and 5 co-sponsors

SB 72 establishes long-term water supply targets to guide California's water planning and infrastructure decisions amid chronic scarcity and climate uncertainty.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 210, Statutes of 2025.
#thecaliforniawaterplan #long-termsupplytargets
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 72

Legislative bill overview

SB 72 establishes long-term water supply targets as part of California's comprehensive water planning framework. The bill, which passed unanimously in the Assembly and was signed into law in October 2025, creates binding or guideline targets for water availability to inform state water infrastructure and management decisions.

Why is this important

California faces chronic water scarcity driven by climate change, population growth, and competing demands from agriculture, urban areas, and environmental protection. Long-term supply targets provide essential planning certainty for water agencies, farmers, and municipalities to make informed investments in infrastructure, conservation, and adaptation strategies over decades rather than crisis-to-crisis management.

Potential points of contention

  • Agricultural vs. urban allocation: Disagreement over how much water should be reserved for farming versus growing urban populations, particularly in drought-prone regions
  • Environmental flows: Tension between setting aside water for ecosystem health (rivers, wetlands, fisheries) and maximizing water available for human consumption
  • Enforcement and flexibility: Debate over whether targets should be mandatory restrictions or flexible guidelines, and consequences when targets cannot be met due to drought or other factors

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

Sign in to ask a question.