What SB 1085 does
An act to amend Sections 10910, 10911, and 10914 of the Water Code, relating to water.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead agency, as defined, to be responsible for determining whether a project is exempt from CEQA and whether an environmental impact report, a negative declaration, or a mitigated negative declaration is required. Existing law requires a city or county that determines a certain type of project is subject to the requirements of CEQA to identify any public water system that may supply water for the project and to request those public water systems to prepare a specified water supply assessment, as provided.
This bill, among other things, would instead require a city or county, upon receipt of a preliminary application for a housing development project that meets certain conditions, or upon a development application for certain projects being determined as complete or deemed complete, to make that identification of public water systems. The bill would require a city or county, within 15 days of receiving an application that meets either of the above-mentioned criteria, to request each identified public water system to determine whether the projected water demand associated with the proposed project was included in the most recently adopted urban water management plan. By imposing additional duties on a city or county, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law requires the governing body of each identified public water system to submit the requested water supply assessment not later than 90 days from the date that the request was received. Existing law requires that the assessment be approved at a regular or special meeting, as provided.
This bill would require, for certain housing development projects, a public water system to submit the requested water supply assessment to the city or county no later than 45 days from the date that the request was received. The bill would provide that those water supply assessments do not need to be approved at a public meeting. The bill would also authorize a city or county to seek a writ of mandamus to compel a public water system that fails to submit the water supply assessment to comply with the requirements relating to the submission of the water supply assessment.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, August 30, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Senator Durazo introduced SB 1085 on February 13, 2026, with coauthors Senators Allen, Caballero, Laird, and Stern and Assembly Member Caloza. The text was amended 4 times, 2 in the Assembly and 2 in the Senate, and heard in 6 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Senate Floor, May 18, 2026: 35 ayes, 1 noes.
- Assembly Floor, August 26, 2026: 79 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 27, 2026: 40 ayes, 0 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Senate Natural Resources and Water, April 14, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government], 6-0.
- Senate Local Government, April 22, 2026: Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations], 7-0.
- Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife, June 16, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government], 11-0.
- Assembly Local Government, July 1, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 10-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, August 5, 2026: Do pass., 15-0.
Who supports and opposes SB 1085
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 27, 2026 lists 38 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. When Senate Natural Resources and Water first listed positions on March 20, 2026, the count was 10 in support and 1 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 27, 2026 it was 38 to 0.
In support: East Bay Municipal Utilities District (sponsor); American Planning Association, California Chapter; Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA); California Building Industry Association; California Coastkeeper Alliance; California Environmental Voters; California Farm Bureau; California Municipal Utilities Association; and 30 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on September 3, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
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
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The agriculture group at Capitol Axis handles that for agriculture clients.
Questions about SB 1085
What does SB 1085 do?
This bill, among other things, would instead require a city or county, upon receipt of a preliminary application for a housing development project that meets certain conditions, or upon a development application for certain projects being determined as complete or deemed complete, to make that identification of public water systems. The bill would require a city or county, within 15 days of receiving an application that meets either of the above-mentioned criteria, to request each identified public water system to determine whether the projected water demand associated with the proposed projec
Has SB 1085 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on September 3, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes SB 1085?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 27, 2026 lists 38 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. Supporters include East Bay Municipal Utilities District (sponsor); American Planning Association, California Chapter; Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA).
What happens next with SB 1085?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, 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.