SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) released the following statement after her legislation, Senate Bill 1366, was signed into law by Governor Newsom. The bill requires a seller of a property to disclose water well issues that resulted in water tank assistance to prospective buyers.

“The California dream is centered on one’s ability to own a home. For too many families in rural communities, this dream has been shattered when homes they purchase do not have access to safe, affordable water and become reliant on domestic water tanks,” said Senator Melissa Hurtado. “No family should move into a home without knowing it might face water shortages and costly repairs. Senate Bill 1366 ensures homebuyers get all the details about any water tank assistance a property has received, helping them make informed decisions and protecting their investment. I’m proud that the Governor has signed this bill, ensuring greater transparency and security for homebuyers across California.” 

“We believe it is crucial and incumbent upon sellers to provide potential homebuyers with the information they need to make informed decisions about the biggest investment they may ever make in their lives,” wrote Thomas J. Collishaw, President/CEO of Self-Help Enterprises, a nonprofit housing and community development organization that sponsored the bill.   

Certain disclosures are required when selling real estate in California, such as a Natural Hazard Disclosure and a Lead-Based Paint Disclosure. However, current state law does not make a disclosure requirement regarding water well failures that resulted in a property receiving tank assistance. The bill, which received unanimous, bi-partisan support in the Senate and the Assembly with no opposition, strives to give prospective buyers additional information about the properties they are seeking to purchase.

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