CA AB532

Authorizes public urban retail water suppliers to provide water rate assistance to ratepayers, defined as any offset of drinking water service costs including bill reductions, account credits, or crisis assistance for arrearages

Eligible recipients include residential ratepayers with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline level, those with arrearages or at risk of arrearages, or other ratepayers if the supplier determines it would better serve community needs

Permits suppliers to use available funding (except fees levied under Article XIII D of the California Constitution) and to seek voluntary contributions from ratepayers, with opt-in or opt-out options for contribution programs

Requires urban retail water suppliers to report annually to the State Water Resources Control Board beginning January 1, 2028, on their water rate assistance programs, funding amounts, number of households served, and voluntary contributions collected

Repeals existing provisions related to the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, which was only operative until March 31, 2024