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AB-1203 • 2026

Water conservation: water wise designation.

Water conservation: water wise designation.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Ahrens
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on how often businesses will be reviewed or awarded the designation.

Water Conservation: Water Wise Designation

This law requires certain businesses to be given a 'water wise' designation if they meet or exceed best management practices for water use.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Water Resources and the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications to include a statewide 'water wise' designation in their Save Our Water Campaign.
  • The 'water wise' designation is given to businesses that meet or exceed recommendations for best management practices for commercial, industrial, or institutional water use (CII).

Who It Names or Affects

  • Businesses in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors
  • The Department of Water Resources
  • The Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications

Terms To Know

CII water use
Water used by businesses for commercial, industrial, or institutional purposes.
Best management practices
Recommended methods to save water and reduce waste in CII water use.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the exact criteria for the 'water wise' designation.
  • It is unclear how often businesses will be reviewed or awarded the designation.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2026-01-06 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  4. 2025-03-10 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on W. P., & W.

  5. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  6. 2025-02-22 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.

  7. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1203, as introduced, Ahrens.
Water conservation: water wise designation.
Existing law requires the State Water Resources Control Board, in coordination with the Department of Water Resources, to adopt long-term standards for the efficient use of water and performance measures for commercial, industrial, and institutional water use (CII water use), among other water uses, before June 30, 2022. Existing law requires the department, in coordination with the board, to conduct necessary studies and investigations and make recommendations, no later than October 1, 2021, for purposes of those standards and performance measures for CII water use.
This bill would require the department and the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications to include, within the Save Our Water Campaign, a statewide “water wise” designation to be awarded to businesses in the CII sector that meet or exceed the recommendations for
CII water use best management practices pursuant to those performance measures.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF