(a) Any corporation organized for or engaged in the business of selling, distributing, supplying, or delivering water for irrigation purposes may provide, and any corporation organized for or engaged in the business of selling, distributing, supplying, or delivering water for domestic use shall provide, in its articles or bylaws that water shall be sold, distributed, supplied, or delivered only to owners of its shares and that the shares shall be appurtenant to certain lands when the same are described in the certificate issued therefor; and when the certificate is so issued and a certified copy of the articles or bylaws recorded in the office of the county recorder in the county where the lands are situated the shares of stock shall become appurtenant to the lands and shall only be transferred therewith, except after sale or forfeiture for delinquent assessments thereon as provided in Section 14303. Notwithstanding this provision in its articles or bylaws, any such corporation may sell water to the state, or any department or agency thereof, or to any school district, or to any public agency, or, to any other mutual water company or, during any emergency resulting from fire or other disaster involving danger to public health or safety, to any person at the same rates as to holders of shares of the corporations; and provided further, that any corporation may enter into a contract with a county fire protection district to furnish water to fire hydrants and for fire suppression or fire prevention purposes at a flat rate per hydrant or other connection. In the event lands to which any stock is appurtenant are owned or purchased by the state, or any department or agency thereof, or any school district, or public agency, the stock shall be canceled by the secretary, but shall be reissued to any person later acquiring title to the land from the state department, agency, or school district, or public agency.
(b) A corporation described in subdivision (a) shall be known as a mutual water company.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 512, Sec. 2. (AB 54) Effective January 1, 2012.)