CA SB427

Authorizes local agencies that provide water services to adopt ordinances prohibiting water theft with administrative fines exceeding standard infraction limits.

Requires local agencies to establish administrative procedures for imposing, enforcing, collecting, and reviewing fines for water theft violations.

Mandates creation of a hardship waiver process to reduce fines when payment would impose undue financial burden on the responsible party.

Sets enhanced penalty amounts for meter tampering violations: $130 for first offense, $700 for second offense within one year, and $1,300 for third and subsequent offenses within one year.

Sets enhanced penalty amounts for other water theft forms: $1,000 for first offense, $2,000 for second offense within one year, and $3,000 for each additional offense within one year.