Blog: New legislation clarifies that government code section 53069.45 does not cap fines that an irrigation district may impose under irrigation district law for water theft
Last week Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2505 into law, clarifying that irrigation districts may impose increased penalties for water theft under Government Code section 53069.45, in addition to the fines or penalties currently available under the Irrigation District Law. Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced) authored AB 2505 in response to growing concern that Government Code section 53069.45 could cap the amount of fines irrigation districts may impose under the Irrigation District Law. Senate Bill 427, which the Governor signed into law last July, added Section 53069.45 to the Government Code.