CHAPTER 1. Selection, Tenure and Compensation [50600. - 50610.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 1.
in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 50600. Section 50600.

After the formation of the district, the board of supervisors, on the application of a landowner, shall call an election in compliance with the provisions of Part 4 (commencing with Section 50700) of this division at which election there shall be elected three eligible persons, who shall constitute, when elected and qualified the first board of trustees of the district.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 50601. Section 50601.

The by-laws of a district may provide, or be amended to provide, for a board of five or seven members, and, if the original by-laws so provide, five or seven eligible persons respectively shall be elected as trustees at each election, or, if the by-laws are amended, then five or seven eligible persons shall be elected at the next district election held subsequent to the date of amendment, and at each election held thereafter.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 50602. Section 50602.

Members of the board shall be elected for a term of four years and shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified. The terms of the members shall be staggered.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 50602.5. Section 50602.5.

Members of the board of a district whose terms have not been staggered as of the date when this section becomes effective shall meet and classify themselves by lot into two classes as nearly equal in number as possible in order to determine when their respective terms shall expire. Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the term of office of the class having the lesser number of members shall be deemed to expire on the date for the general district election in 1969. The terms of the other members shall be deemed to expire on the date for the general district election in 1971.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 50605. Section 50605.

(a) Each member of the board shall receive such compensation for services actually and necessarily performed as the board determines to be just and reasonable, and shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of his duties as trustee. (b) For purposes of this section, the determination of whether a director’s activities on any specific day are compensable shall be made pursuant to Article 2.3 (commencing with Section 53232) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code. Reimbursement for these expenses is subject to Sections 53232.2 and 53232.3 of the Government Code.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 50606. Section 50606.

All claims by or in behalf of a trustee for services rendered or expenses incurred shall be presented to the board, and, if allowed, shall be paid in the same manner as other indebtedness of the district.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 50609. Section 50609.

Except as otherwise provided in the by-laws, any meeting of the board at which all members are present, or of which all members have received written notice at least one day prior thereto, is a regular meeting at which any business may be transacted.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 50610. Section 50610.

Members of the board of trustees appointed pursuant to Section 58762.1 of the Government Code shall be immune from liability to creditors of the district for debts incurred prior to their appointment.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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