What AB 2215 does
An act to amend Section 1398 of the Water Code, relating to water.
The Department of Water Resources operates the State Water Resources Development System, commonly referred to as the State Water Project.
Existing law requires that construction work for a project that will put appropriated water to beneficial use be commenced, prosecuted with due diligence, and completed within the time period specified in the water right permit. Existing law authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to extend the deadline specified in the permit to commence or complete construction work and to put appropriated water to beneficial use for good cause shown.
This bill would require that the time periods for the application of water to beneficial use and for the completion of construction work for specific water right permits held by the Department of Water Resources for the operation of the State Water Project be December 31, 2046.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the amended assembly text, April 16, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Calderon introduced AB 2215 on February 19, 2026, with coauthors Assembly Members Carrillo, Garcia, Harabedian, Irwin, Macedo, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, and Wallis and Senators Archuleta, Ochoa Bogh, and Valladares. The text was amended 2 times, and heard in 3 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 27, 2026: 59 ayes, 1 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife, April 14, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 11-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, April 29, 2026: Do pass., 12-1.
Who supports and opposes AB 2215
The Senate Natural Resources and Water analysis dated June 29, 2026 lists 85 organizations in support and 32 in opposition. When Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife first listed positions on April 10, 2026, the count was 78 in support and 16 opposed. By the Senate Natural Resources and Water analysis of June 29, 2026 it was 85 to 32.
In support: State Water Contractors (sponsor); Agricultural Council of California; Alameda County Water District; Antelope Valley East Kern Water Agency; Associated General Contractors of California; Association of California Cities - Orange County; Bay Area Council; Burbank Water and Power; and 77 more.
Opposed: AquAlliance; California Indian Environmental Alliance; California Sportfishing Protection Alliance; California Water Impact Network; Center for Biological Diversity; Center for Environmental Health; Central Delta Water Agency; City of Stockton; and 24 more.
Read the Senate Natural Resources and Water analysis.
Our read
Analysis by Capitol Axis, drawn from the committee analyses and vote record for AB 2215.
Opposition roughly doubled on the way through, 16 at Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife to 32 at Senate Natural Resources and Water.
State Water Contractors sponsored it, and a sponsored bill is negotiated with the sponsor in the room.
None of it showed up in the vote: Assembly Floor passed AB 2215 59-1 on May 27, 2026. When 32 organizations are on the record against a bill that carries by that margin, the argument with the Legislature is over and the Governor's office is the remaining audience.
Among the 32 on the opposed list are California Indian Environmental Alliance, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and California Water Impact Network.
What happens next
It is in the Senate, its second house. The last recorded action was on July 1, 2026.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for agriculture organizations
This is the stage where language still changes. Amendments taken in committee are the ones that reach the Governor, so an organization with a stake in the drafting has a reason to be in that conversation now rather than after the vote.
The agriculture group at Capitol Axis handles that for agriculture clients.
Questions about AB 2215
What does AB 2215 do?
This bill would require that the time periods for the application of water to beneficial use and for the completion of construction work for specific water right permits held by the Department of Water Resources for the operation of the State Water Project be December 31, 2046.
Has AB 2215 passed the California Legislature?
It is in the Senate, its second house. The last recorded action was on July 1, 2026.
Who supports and opposes AB 2215?
The Senate Natural Resources and Water analysis dated June 29, 2026 lists 85 organizations in support and 32 in opposition. Supporters include State Water Contractors (sponsor); Agricultural Council of California; Alameda County Water District. Opponents include AquAlliance; California Indian Environmental Alliance; California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.
What happens next with AB 2215?
It still has committee and floor votes ahead of it. Amendments taken now are the ones that reach the Governor, so this is the stage where language changes are still possible.