(a) The special master shall make a draft report available to the parties and provide at least 60 days for the parties to submit written objections to the draft report.
§ 846.Draft Report
Title 10. Actions In Particular Cases · Chapter 7. Actions Relating to Groundwater Rights · Article 12. Special Master · Enacted 2015 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 846 requires the special master to circulate a draft report, give the parties at least sixty days to object with supporting grounds and evidence, consider those objections, and file a final report with the court supported by evidence.
Full Text of § 846
(b) An objection to the draft report shall identify the specific grounds and evidence on which the objection is based.
(c) The special master may notice and hold hearings, as he or she deems appropriate, to gather information or address issues raised in the objections to the draft report.
(d) The special master shall consider the objections to the draft report and develop a final report that shall be filed with the court, together with supporting evidence.
Plain-English Summary
This section describes the special master's reporting process once appointed under § 845. The special master first makes a draft report available to the parties and must provide at least sixty days for written objections. An objection has to identify specific grounds and evidence — general disagreement isn't enough.
The special master may hold hearings to gather more information or address the objections raised, at his or her discretion. After considering the objections, the special master develops a final report, filed with the court along with the supporting evidence, giving the court a vetted factual record to work from rather than an untested draft.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do parties have to object to the special master's draft report?
At least sixty days.
What must an objection to the draft report include?
Specific grounds and evidence supporting the objection.
Can the special master hold hearings on the objections?
Yes, if the special master deems it appropriate for gathering information or addressing the issues raised.
What happens after the objection period?
The special master considers the objections and develops a final report, filed with the court along with supporting evidence.
Amendment History
Added by Stats 2015 ch 672 (AB 1390),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: special master draft report groundwater adjudication