AB-2322 • 2026

Water discharge: commercial, industrial, or institutional sites.

Budget Taxes

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Papan
Last action: 2026-04-15
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the impact of shortened notice periods on public participation in hearings.

Water Discharge Rules for Businesses

This law changes how notices are sent out about water discharge permits and defines new terms for commercial, industrial, or institutional sites.

What This Bill Does

Defines a 'commercial, industrial, or institutional site' as privately owned land used for business, manufacturing, or services based on local tax assessor land use codes.
Requires the State Water Resources Control Board to send notices about water discharge permits at least 15 days before a hearing instead of 20 days.

Who It Names or Affects

Businesses, factories, and institutions that need water discharge permits.
The State Water Resources Control Board and regional water quality control boards.

Terms To Know

CII site: A privately owned parcel or contiguous parcels of land used for business, manufacturing, or services based on local tax assessor land use codes.
MS4s: Municipal separate storm sewer systems that collect and transport stormwater runoff.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how the shortened notice period will affect public participation in hearings.
It is unclear if this law will change existing regulations for water discharge permits beyond the notice requirements.
There are no details on enforcement or penalties for non-compliance with these new rules.

Bill History

2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
2026-04-07 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2322, as amended, Papan.
Appropriation of water: notice of hearing.
Water discharge: commercial, industrial, or institutional sites.
Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board and the 9 California regional water quality control boards prescribe waste discharge requirements for the discharge of stormwater by municipalities and industries in accordance with the federal national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit program, established by the federal Clean Water Act and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Under existing law, the state board and the 9 regional water quality control boards issue permits for the discharge of stormwater from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s).
For purposes of issuing permits for the discharge of stormwater from MS4s, this bill define “commercial, industrial, or institutional site” or “CII
site” as a privately owned parcel or contiguous parcels of land that are commercial, industrial, or institutional based on the appropriate county tax assessor land use codes, as specified.
Existing law requires the State Water Resources Control Board to act upon all applications for a permit to appropriate water. Existing law establishes various requirements for a notice regarding an application received by the board, including, among other requirements, that notice be given by mail not less than 20 days before the date of a hearing for an unprotested application.
This bill would require notice to be given by mail not less than 15 days before the date of a hearing for an unprotested application.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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