California Assembly Bill AB990

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/25
• Refer: 3/10/25
• Report Pass: 4/9/25
• Engrossed: 4/24/25
• Refer: 4/24/25
• Refer: 5/7/25
• Report Pass: 6/18/25

Caption

An act to amend Section 116460 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to drinking water.

Impact

One of the notable impacts of AB 990 is its emphasis on providing notifications in the preferred language of the residents, should resources allow for it. This provision addresses the needs of non-English speaking communities, creating a more inclusive approach to public health communication. Furthermore, the bill recognizes the rapidly evolving technologies for communication, allowing public systems to use platforms such as text messages and social media to disseminate important health alerts effectively.

Summary

Assembly Bill No. 990, introduced by Assembly Member Hadwick, aims to amend Section 116460 of the Health and Safety Code in relation to public water systems. The bill seeks to enhance the emergency notification plans that public water systems are required to submit and maintain to the State Water Resources Control Board. Currently, such systems must inform their customers immediately of any health-threatening issues, such as contaminations that significantly raise bacterial counts in the water. This legislation proposes that public water systems not only ensure compliance with existing health standards but also improve their communication strategies during emergencies.

Conclusion

Overall, AB 990 represents a proactive approach to ensuring that residents are promptly informed about potential health risks associated with their drinking water. By updating and improving the emergency notification requirements, this bill aims to bolster public trust in water systems and enhance community engagement in vital health and safety matters.

Contention

While the proposed changes aim to strengthen public health measures, there may be contentions relating to funding and resource allocation. The suggestion of providing notifications in various languages could lead to challenges in implementation for smaller water systems that lack the financial resources. Additionally, there could be debates regarding the adequacy of current emergency protocols and the extent to which the bill addresses systemic issues within public water management.