§ 837.5.State Intervention

Title 10. Actions In Particular Cases · Chapter 7. Actions Relating to Groundwater Rights · Article 4. Intervention · Enacted 2015 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026

In one sentenceSection 837.5 lets the State of California intervene in a comprehensive groundwater adjudication without that intervention changing any substantive legal right.

Full Text of § 837.5

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) The state may intervene in a comprehensive adjudication conducted pursuant to this chapter.

(b) This section does not affect substantive law.

Plain-English Summary

This section gives the state a direct path into a comprehensive adjudication as an intervenor. Because groundwater basins can affect state-managed resources, state facilities, or state interests that don't fit neatly into the categories § 837 lists, this separate provision confirms that the state itself may intervene in the proceeding.

Subdivision (b) is a deliberate limitation: intervening under this section doesn't affect substantive law. In other words, the ability to join the case procedurally doesn't expand or contract any right the state, or any other party, would otherwise have under existing groundwater law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the State of California intervene in a groundwater adjudication?

Yes, under § 837.5(a).

Does the state's intervention change anyone's underlying water rights?

No. Section 837.5(b) makes clear that this section doesn't affect substantive law.

How is this different from the intervention rights in § 837?

Section 837 addresses groundwater sustainability agencies, local governments, and private parties with a fee or extraction interest; this section is a separate, specific authorization for the state itself.

Amendment History

Added by Stats 2015 ch 676 (SB 226),s 1, eff. 1/1/2016.

Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature. Last verified July 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: state intervention groundwater adjudication california