California Senate Rejects Bill Disclosing Water Usage

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The California Senate is rejecting legislation that seeks to force public water agencies to disclose their largest commercial and industrial water users.

The measure failed Friday on a 20-15 vote. It would have clarified that data on business water use is a public record but would not apply to residential customers.

Conservation groups and First Amendment advocates support the bill. They say AB1520 would allow the public to know how effectively water agencies are conserving water in the midst of California's drought.

Agriculture groups say the bill would treat customers of public and private water providers differently.

Republican Sen. Jeff Stone of Temecula says the measure would put California companies at disadvantage when competing against companies in other states.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)