Salinas Reservoir: recreational use.

Education

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Laird
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 22).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify which recreational activities are allowed.

Salinas Reservoir: Allowing Recreational Use

The bill allows people to swim and play in the Salinas Reservoir if the water is treated properly before it's used for drinking.

What This Bill Does

Allows swimming and other activities that touch the water in the Salinas Reservoir, as long as the water gets full treatment after use.
Requires the treated water to meet all state rules set by the State Water Resources Control Board.

Who It Names or Affects

People who want to swim or play in the Salinas Reservoir
Local health departments

Terms To Know

State Water Resources Control Board: A state agency that sets rules for water quality and use.
Recreational Use: Activities like swimming, boating, or fishing in a body of water.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what kind of recreational activities are allowed.
The bill does not change rules for other reservoirs outside the Salinas Reservoir.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 22).
2026-04-17 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 22.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on E.Q. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.
2026-04-10 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and E.Q.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Withdrawn from committee.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Coms. on E.Q. and N.R. & W.
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-03-04 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 22.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1253, as amended, Laird.
Local health departments: standards.
Salinas Reservoir: recreational use.
Existing law, with certain exceptions, prohibits recreational use in which there is bodily contact with water in a reservoir in which water is stored for domestic use, and establishes water standards for those exempted reservoirs.
This bill would create an exception from the above-described prohibition for recreation in which there is bodily contact with water by a participant in the Salinas Reservoir if the water subsequently receives complete water treatment in compliance with all applicable regulations of the State Water Resources Control Board before being used for domestic purposes and the reservoir is operated in compliance with regulations of the board.
This bill would make legislative findings
and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Salinas Reservoir.
Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to establish by regulation, after consultation with and approval by the California Conference of Local Health Officers, standards of education and experience for professional and technical personnel employed in local health departments and for the organization and operation of the local health departments, as specified.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF