‘We are Deeply Concerned’: California Assn. of Mutual Water Companies Issues Statement on SB 1417, Which Threatens the Privacy and Safety of Water Company Volunteer Board Members and Customers
ALTADENA, Calif./June 19, 2026 — Adán Ortega, Executive Director of the California Assn. of Mutual Water Companies, issued the following statement in response to State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez’s News Conference about the dangerous SB 1417: “Today, I attended State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez’s news conference regarding SB 1417, a bill introducing new transparency mandates for mutual water companies facing rate increases. While the Senator’s press conference focused on complaints from about eight Altadena residents, SB 1417 as written would impact every mutual water company across California. The California Association of Mutual Water Companies does not oppose transparency. Our history is rooted in it. Since the dawn of California statehood, mutual water companies have built the infrastructure that allows our communities to thrive. We worked constructively with the Legislature when it enacted AB 240 about a decade ago and we understand the desire for specific shareholder and member notice concerning rate increases and do not oppose those provisions of SB 1417. Updating those rules for the modern era is a natural progression. However, we are deeply concerned by provisions in SB 1417 that threaten the privacy and safety of our volunteer board members and the shareholder customers they serve. We have asked Senator Pérez to strike provisions that create a dangerous, legal pathway to doxxing: Privacy Violations:As drafted, SB 1417 requires companies to release private customer data—including home addresses, water usage, and payment history—to almost anyone who asks. Targeting Volunteers:The bill mandates county-wide radio and newspaper advertising that explicitly names the volunteer directors who schedule rate hearings, exposing their home addresses to potential harassment. At a time when the Legislature is actively trying to protect officials from threats and violence, SB 1417 moves in the opposite direction. It creates an environment of intimidation for volunteers making tough infrastructure decisions, especially after…
Recent News
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URGENT ACTION ALERT: Oppose SB 1417 – Protect Mutual Water Company Shareholder Privacy
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Pizza doxxing and SB1417
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Mutual Water Company Shareholder Group Urges Californians to Oppose “Dangerous” SB 1417
ALTADENA, Calif., May 14, 2026 — A coalition representing shareholders of California mutual water companies has launched a statewide grassroots campaign urging shareholders to oppose SB 1417 (Pérez), legislation they describe as a dangerous threat to the privacy and security of residents who own shares in community water systems. This…
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