AB 1739 Summary

• Establishes groundwater reporting requirements for extractors in areas without a groundwater sustainability agency or in probationary basins, with reports due by December 15 annually and accompanied by fees.

• Authorizes the State Water Resources Control Board to designate basins as "probationary basins" if local agencies fail to adopt sustainable groundwater management plans by specified deadlines, and allows the board to develop and implement interim management plans for those basins.

• Grants groundwater sustainability agencies authority to impose fees on groundwater extraction and other regulated activities to fund groundwater management programs, with procedures for public notice and adoption by ordinance or resolution.

• Requires local agencies to review and consider groundwater sustainability plans, management plans, and state board interim plans before adopting or substantially amending general plans, and to coordinate with groundwater sustainability agencies and the state board.

• Requires the Department of Water Resources to adopt regulations by June 1, 2016, for evaluating groundwater sustainability plans and to publish best management practices and a report on available groundwater for replenishment by specified dates.