Californians to face steep fines for violating water orders under new legislation

In summary

Ranchers who defied a state water order were only fined about $50 each. Under new legislation headed to the governor, some daily fines for water scofflaws can increase 20-fold.

California lawmakers late Friday approved a massive increase in fines for water scofflaws after ranchers intentionally defied state orders and pumped water from the drought-plagued Shasta River for eight days.

Two years ago, state officials imposed the maximum fine allowed under law — $4,000...