Repealed and added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 741, Sec. 85. Effective January 1, 2004.
There is in the State Treasury a Water Rights Fund, which is hereby established.
Article 3 - Water Rights Fund
California Water Code — §§ 1550-1552
Sections (3)
Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 401, Sec. 18. (AB 1520) Effective January 1, 2026.
All of the following shall be deposited into the Water Rights Fund:
(a)All fees, expenses, and penalties collected by the board or the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration under this chapter and Part 3 (commencing with Section 2000).
(b)All funds collected pursuant to Section 1052, Article 4 (commencing with Section 1845) of Chapter 12, or Section 5107.
(c)All fees and penalties collected pursuant to Sections 13160.1 and 13385 in connection with certificates for activities involving an appropriation of water subject to this part, hydroelectric power projects subject to
licensing by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or other diversions of water for beneficial use.
Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 18, Sec. 7. (AB 92) Effective June 29, 2020.
Except as provided in subdivision (e) of Section 1058.5, moneys in the Water Rights Fund are available for expenditure, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the following purposes:
(a)For expenditure by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration in the administration of this chapter and the Fee Collection Procedures Law (Part 30 (commencing with Section 55001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code) in connection with any fee or expense subject to this chapter.
(b)For the payment of refunds, pursuant to Part 30 (commencing with Section 55001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, of fees or expenses collected pursuant to this chapter.
(c)For expenditure by the board for the purposes of carrying out this division, Division 1 (commencing with Section 100), Part 2 (commencing with Section 10500) and Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 10735) of Part 2.74 of Division 6, Article 7 (commencing with Section
13550) of Chapter 7 of Division 7, and the water diversion related provisions of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 26060) of Division 10 of the Business and Professions Code.
(d)For expenditures by the board for the purposes of carrying out Sections 13160 and 13160.1 in connection with activities involving hydroelectric power projects subject to licensing by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
(e)For expenditures by the board for the purposes of carrying out Sections 13140 and 13170 in connection with plans and policies that address the diversion or use of water.
(f)For expenditures by the Department of Fish and Wildlife for purposes of carrying out Article 2 (commencing with Section 1433) of
Chapter 6.5 and Article 2 (commencing with Section 1443) of Chapter 6.6, consistent with the amounts estimated under paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 1525.