Existing law authorizes the legislative body of an incorporated city and the county board of supervisors to license businesses carried on within their respective jurisdictions and to set license fees, as specified.
This bill would require a person who owns or operates a data center, as defined, prior to applying to a city or a county for an initial business license, equivalent instrument, or permit, to provide its water supplier, under penalty of perjury, an estimate of the expected water use. When applying to a city or county for an initial business license, the bill would require a person who owns or operates a data center to self-certify, under penalty of perjury, on the application that the person has provided its water supplier an estimate of the expected water use. When applying to a city or county for a renewal of a business license, equivalent instrument, or permit, the bill would require a person who owns or operates a data center to self-certify, under penalty of perjury, on the application, a report of the annual water use. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Beginning one year after the Department of Water Resources develops any efficiency guidelines or best management practices relevant to the data centers, the bill would require that a person who owns or operates a data center, as a condition for obtaining or renewing a business license, self-certify that the data center will meet guidelines and best practices to maximize the efficient use of natural resources.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Statutes affected:
03/24/25 - Amended Assembly: 390.1 WAT, 390.1 WAT
04/10/25 - Amended Assembly: 390.1 WAT
05/05/25 - Amended Assembly: 390.1 WAT
07/09/25 - Amended Senate: 390.1 WAT