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AB-2125 • 2026

Groundwater basin adjudication: notice.

Groundwater basin adjudication: notice.

Land Water
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Bennett
Last action
Official status
Senate - Consent
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is missing from the provided metadata and text excerpts.

AB-2125: New Proof Requirements for Groundwater Notice

This law adds new proof requirements to the process of notifying landowners when a lawsuit begins over groundwater rights.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires plaintiffs filing notice completion to include an affidavit from the person who mailed notices, stating the date, time, and place of mailing.
  • Mandates that delivery receipts for mailed notices must be signed by the recipient or their legal representative.
  • Orders plaintiffs to attach all certified or registered mail delivery receipts received as of the filing date when submitting proof to the court.
  • Requires a sworn statement from the person who posted the notice and a photograph if a return receipt is not received for a property.
  • Clarifies that courts can order extra steps, such as using restricted delivery for mailed notices.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Plaintiffs filing lawsuits to determine groundwater extraction rights in a basin.
  • Courts handling groundwater adjudication cases.
  • Holders of fee title (property owners) within the affected groundwater basins.

Terms To Know

Groundwater basin adjudication
A legal process to decide who has the right to take water from an underground source in a specific area.
Affidavit
A written statement of facts that is sworn under oath before it can be used as evidence.
Fee title holder
The person or group who owns the legal rights to a piece of real property in the basin.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official text does not state when this law will officially take effect.
  • The bill describes new requirements but does not specify penalties for failing to follow them.
  • Courts have discretion to order other notice methods, so the exact steps may vary by case.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Consent

Official Summary Text

Groundwater basin adjudication: notice.