Water policy: California Native American tribes.

California Assembly Bill 2218 aims to improve water policies related to California Native American tribes. It includes provisions to enhance tribal access to water resources and recognizes their rights in water management. The bill seeks to ensure that the interests of Native American tribes are considered in state water policies.

CA AB2218 is a house bill in the California 2025-2026 Regular Session, sponsored by Ash Kalra (D), currently “Vetoed” since September 30, 2026.

We track 5,060 California bills this session, 42 of them sponsored by Ash Kalra.

The key recorded vote (A, August 26, 2026) ended 56–0 and passed.

Supporters of AB 2218 would highlight its importance in acknowledging the rights of California Native American tribes to access and manage water resources. They would argue that this bill is a significant step toward justice and equity for tribes, allowing them to play a crucial role in water conservation and management efforts.

Critics of AB 2218 might argue that the bill could complicate existing water management systems and lead to conflicts over water rights. They may express concerns that prioritizing tribal access could negatively impact other water users in California, potentially exacerbating existing water scarcity issues.

Source: LegiScan roll call vote data.