Introductory ProvisionsDefinitions
Section § 20510
This section states that the rules outlined in the chapter apply when interpreting the division, unless there’s a specific reason not to follow them.
Section § 20511
This law means that when a word is defined in a particular way, any variations of that word will carry the same definition.
Section § 20512
This section explains that when the word 'include' is used in legal documents related to water districts, it doesn't automatically mean other items are excluded unless specifically related to adding land into a district.
Section § 20513
This law defines the term "district" as any irrigation district created under California laws, but it specifically excludes the Palo Verde Irrigation District from this definition.
Section § 20514
An "improvement district" refers to a specific area that is set up under the Irrigation District Improvement Act or similar laws in this division to undertake enhancements or upgrades, usually related to water management.
Section § 20516
This law states that whenever the term “rules” is used, it also means “regulations.”
Section § 20517
This section defines the term "land" specifically as land located within the district or proposed district being discussed. This definition does not apply to Chapter 2A of Part 7 or Chapter 2 of Part 11, where a different definition may be used.
Section § 20518
The term "principal county" refers to the county where all of a piece of land is located. If the land stretches across multiple counties, it means the county with the largest portion of the land. For district consolidations or reorganizations involving multiple counties, "principal county" is the one with the largest share of the total land involved in these districts.
Section § 20519
An "affected county" refers to any county where a particular piece of land is located.
Section § 20520
This law defines the term "office county" as the county where a district's main office is located.
Section § 20521
This law section defines the term "Board" as referring to the board of directors of a district.
Section § 20522
This section defines the term "President" as referring to the president of the board.
Section § 20523
This section simply defines the term "Secretary" as referring to the secretary of the board.
Section § 20524
This law outlines who is considered an 'elective officer' in specific roles within a water district. It includes a director from each division, unless specified otherwise, as well as an assessor, a collector, and a treasurer. However, these roles could be appointed under certain conditions as described in another section.
Section § 20525
A "general district election" is an election that districts must hold on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during each odd-numbered year.
Section § 20526
This section defines a "bond election" as an election that is specifically covered in Chapter 4 of Part 4 of the relevant legal code.
Section § 20527
This law says that the terms "elector," "voter," and "precinct board" have the same meanings as those in the Elections Code. However, for someone to be considered an "elector" or "voter" under this law, they must also live in the district or proposed district concerned.
Section § 20527.5
This section clarifies voting rights for elections within the Jackson Valley Irrigation District. Only property owners within the district can vote, and they don't need to reside there to qualify. Ownership of property is confirmed through the district's last assessment book, or the county's if no district assessment is available. For properties with multiple owners, a designated owner must be appointed in writing for voting purposes.
Corporations or estates owning property can vote through a legal representative, like a guardian or executor, who is appointed under state laws, has control of the estate's real property, and can exercise the voting right as per the court's permission. This representative must present certified authority to the election board before voting, and this documentation will be filed with election results.
Section § 20527.6
This law outlines the rules for who can vote in district elections within the Camp Far West Irrigation District. Here, an elector or voter is defined as anyone who owns land in the district, not necessarily residents. Each landowner gets one vote for every dollar's worth of their land.
The ownership details should come from the district's last assessment book or the county's records if there is no current district assessment. If land is owned jointly, all owners must decide in writing who votes, or each can vote their share. Legal representatives, like corporation officials or trustees, can also vote if they show certified proof of authority.
Votes can be cast in person or by a proxy who must have a written and acknowledged appointment specifying the election. These proxies can be revoked before voting. Furthermore, any voter is eligible to serve on the Board of Directors if they own land in the division they represent.
Section § 20527.7
In the Montague Water Conservation District, only those who own real property can vote in elections for the district's directors, regardless of whether they live in the district or not. Proof of ownership is based on the latest county assessment records. If the property has multiple owners, they must choose one person to vote.
A legal representative, like a corporate officer or estate executor, can vote for any property owned by a corporation or estate, provided they have court-approved authority. They need to present proof of their authority at the election.
Voters, or their representatives, can vote in person or assign someone as a proxy to vote on their behalf. However, each property owner is limited to one vote. Any voter can also be a candidate for the district's Board of Directors.
Section § 20527.8
This law states that in the Cordua Irrigation District, only landowners can vote in elections, and they don't need to live in the district. Each landowner gets one vote for every $100 of assessed land value based on the county's latest assessment records. If land is jointly owned, the owners must decide together which one of them will vote. Legal representatives like corporate officials or estate administrators can vote on behalf of their entities, provided they present proof of their authority. Voters or their representatives can vote in person or by proxy. Anyone eligible to vote can also become a director or officer in the district.
Section § 20527.9
This law states that in the Provident Irrigation District, which covers parts of Glenn and Colusa Counties, only real property owners can vote in director elections. These owners don't have to live in the district to vote. The county assessment roll is the final proof of who owns the property. If a property has multiple owners, they need to agree and decide which owner will vote.
For corporations or estates that own property, a legal representative like an official or executor can vote on their behalf. This representative must have proper legal authority, show proof of this authority, and leave it with the election officials. Voters or their legal reps can vote in person or through a proxy, but only one vote is allowed per property.
Furthermore, any voter defined in this section is eligible to be on the Board of Directors of the district, regardless of residency.
Section § 20527.10
This law outlines voting rights and procedures for property owners in the Glenn Colusa Irrigation District. Only property owners can vote in district elections, and they don't need to live in the district to do so; however, proof of ownership is based on the district's assessment roll.
If property is co-owned, one person must be chosen as the voter in writing, and changes to this designation must be made before the election period begins. A list of eligible voters is prepared ahead of elections, and it only allows one vote per owner. Legal representatives of corporations or estates owning property can also vote.
Votes can be cast in person or via a proxy, and being a landowner allows an individual to serve on the district's Board of Directors. Legal representatives must be authorized and show their authority to vote. Specific rights and responsibilities apply to legal representatives, including presenting certified authority documentation at elections.
Section § 20527.11
This section outlines voting rules for the Richvale Irrigation District. If you own property in the district or represent a property owner, you can vote in district elections. You don't need to live there. Property owners can vote by person or proxy (a designated person to vote on their behalf). Joint property owners must designate one person to vote for them. Legal representatives of corporations or estates can also vote.
The district keeps a voter list and should give it to the clerk 35 days before an election. The law also specifies that any voter can be elected to the district's board. The section is effective only if the district doesn’t provide any public utility services like water or electricity. If it starts providing such services, these rules won't apply, and the district must inform the Secretary of State.
Section § 20527.12
This law applies specifically to the James Irrigation District. It allows only property owners within the district to vote in district elections, even if they don't live there. The district's assessment roll proves who owns a property. Property owned jointly requires the owners to agree in writing who gets to vote. This voting right extends to representatives of corporations or estates owning property. Voters must vote in person or can appoint a proxy. Property owners can also be board members, provided they are landowners in that division, unless divisions are removed. Legal representatives need to prove their authority before voting. The board can decide to abolish voting divisions for an election, subject to voter approval for future changes. This law only operates if the district doesn't provide domestic services like water or electricity, and will become inactive if such services start.
Section § 20527.13
This law applies to the Corcoran Irrigation District and outlines the rules for voting in district elections. Only property owners in the district, even if they don’t live there, can vote. If a property has multiple owners, they must choose one to vote, and there's a form to do that 40 days before the election.
The district provides a list of eligible voters, ensuring one vote per owner. Legal representatives for corporations or estates can vote too. Votes can be cast in person or by proxy. A voter who's a landowner within their division can be on the board, even if they’re not a resident, unless divisions are abolished.
A legal representative must show proof of their authority to vote. All these rules apply as long as the district doesn’t provide residential services like water or electricity. If it begins to do so, these rules become inactive, and the district must notify the Secretary of State.
Section § 20527.91
This law allows property owners in the Big Springs Irrigation District and the Princeton-Codora-Glenn Irrigation District to vote in district elections, regardless of whether they live there. The county's official property assessment roll proves property ownership. If a property has multiple owners, they need to decide who will vote. A legal representative can vote for a corporation or estate that owns property, provided they meet specific conditions and show proof of authority. Voting can be done in person or by assigning someone as a proxy, but each property gets only one vote. Property owners who qualify as voters can also be on the Board of Directors for these districts.
Section § 20528
This law describes what 'holder of title' means. It includes anyone who has proof of owning land, like a deed. It also covers people who have rights to use land they got by legally entering it or buying it from the U.S. government or California.
Section § 20529
This law states that the term "property" includes all types of real and personal property, such as water, water rights, and associated works, as well as franchises, concessions, and related rights, except in Part 10 where it may have different definitions.
Section § 20530
This section defines what counts as 'works' under water law, including structures and equipment like dams, reservoirs, wells, and power generation facilities.
Section § 20531
This law defines "conduits" as various water channels and their related parts, specifically including canals, laterals, ditches, flumes, and pipes.
Section § 20532
In this section, the term “acquire” has a broad meaning. It involves not only buying something but also building, leasing, trading, taking through legal means like condemnation, jointly acquiring with others, and even making agreements to acquire something.
Section § 20533
This law defines the term "dispose" to mean not just selling, but also leasing, creating contracts for leasing or selling, and performing any necessary actions or legal steps related to these transactions.
Section § 20534
This section clarifies that the term "operate" covers not just using, but also maintaining and repairing something.
Section § 20535
This law defines an "assessee" as the individual who has property assessed to their name, meaning they're responsible for taxes or valuations on that property.
Section § 20536
The term “assessment book” refers to any significant record that contains the necessary details about assessments. This could be a traditional bound book or an organized system of cards that stores the assessment information.
Section § 20537
A "completion assessment" refers to a specific fee or charge that is applied according to the rules set out in Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Part 10.
Section § 20538
This section defines a 'particular purpose assessment' as a type of fee or charge that is imposed under specific guidelines detailed in another part of the law.
Section § 20539
An "emergency assessment" is a special charge that can be imposed based on guidelines found in a specific part of the water code. It is not a regular charge but one that occurs under certain conditions outlined in the relevant article.
Section § 20540
This section defines 'limited assessments' as specific types of assessments that can be used for certain purposes. These include: (a) a completion assessment, which is likely for finishing a project, (b) a particular purpose assessment, which is intended for a specific use or project, and (c) an emergency assessment, which addresses unexpected or urgent needs.
Section § 20541
This law clarifies that when the term "charges" is used, it also includes tolls as a type of charge.