CA SB757

Establishes state policy that groundwater resources be managed responsibly at local and regional levels through groundwater management plans based on best available science and local needs.

Requires all high- and medium-priority groundwater basins in long-term overdraft to be managed under a groundwater management plan by January 31, 2020, with groundwater management agencies having authority to require well registration, measure extractions, regulate pumping, and impose fees.

Authorizes groundwater management agencies to conduct inspections only with inspection warrants and grants them powers including spacing requirements for wells, extraction limits, groundwater allocation transfers, and civil penalties up to $250 per acre-foot for unauthorized extraction.

Requires city and county planning agencies to review groundwater management plans and court orders before adopting or amending general plans, and to coordinate with groundwater management agencies and water systems regarding impacts on water supply and groundwater management.

Establishes state intervention procedures including designation of "probationary basins" where local management is inadequate, with the State Water Resources Control Board authorized to adopt interim plans or initiate adjudication actions to determine groundwater rights if basins are not responsibly managed by January 31, 2020.