CA AB2189

Requires water replenishment district boards to make specified findings and determinations before holding public hearings on replenishment assessments, rather than after the hearing.

Mandates written notice by mail to owners of water-producing facilities at least 45 calendar days before the hearing, identifying which facilities would be subject to the proposed assessment and including the proposed rate and calculation basis.

Establishes protest procedures weighted by groundwater production volume, prohibiting boards from imposing assessments exceeding the prior fiscal year's rate if a majority protest exists.

Adds new Section 60306.5 establishing that replenishment assessments cannot exceed proportional costs attributable to water-producing facilities, cannot fund general public services, and revenue must be used only for authorized district purposes.

Requires compliance with replenishment assessment limitations before assessments can be extended, imposed, or increased, with reimbursement for state-mandated local program costs available through existing statutory procedures.