AB-1044
Natural Resources & Water

Tulare Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes the Tulare Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency to manage groundwater resources in Tulare County.
  • Creates a five-member board including representatives from water districts, county, and agricultural interests.
  • Authorizes the agency to impose fees on groundwater extraction and develop sustainability plans.
  • Requires board members to be selected by November 30, 2026 to oversee groundwater management activities.

Summary

Assembly Member Macedo's legislation establishes the Tulare Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency to manage groundwater resources within portions of Tulare County's Tule Subbasin. The agency would operate as one of California's exclusive local groundwater management bodies under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

The bill creates a five-member governing board comprising representatives from the Hope Water District, Ducor Water District, Tulare County, and two agricultural stakeholders nominated by the Tulare County Farm Bureau. This board would develop and implement a groundwater sustainability plan for territory including lands within the Hope and Ducor Water Districts, with authority to adjust boundaries through public proceedings.

To fulfill its groundwater management responsibilities, the agency may conduct technical studies, adopt regulations, and impose fees on groundwater extraction and related activities. The legislation requires coordination agreements with other local agencies managing portions of the Tule Subbasin to ensure aligned sustainability efforts. The board may exempt operators extracting below specified groundwater amounts from certain requirements.

The bill amends the Water Code to designate the Tulare Basin agency among California's exclusive groundwater management entities, while preserving its ability to opt out of this role. If enacted, board members must be selected by November 2026, after which the agency can begin developing its sustainability plan and implementing management strategies.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 447
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Alexandra Macedo
Alexandra MacedoR
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
130013PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes the Tulare Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency to manage groundwater resources in Tulare County.
  • Creates a five-member board including representatives from water districts, county, and agricultural interests.
  • Authorizes the agency to impose fees on groundwater extraction and develop sustainability plans.
  • Requires board members to be selected by November 30, 2026 to oversee groundwater management activities.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Alexandra Macedo
Alexandra MacedoR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Macedo's legislation establishes the Tulare Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency to manage groundwater resources within portions of Tulare County's Tule Subbasin. The agency would operate as one of California's exclusive local groundwater management bodies under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

The bill creates a five-member governing board comprising representatives from the Hope Water District, Ducor Water District, Tulare County, and two agricultural stakeholders nominated by the Tulare County Farm Bureau. This board would develop and implement a groundwater sustainability plan for territory including lands within the Hope and Ducor Water Districts, with authority to adjust boundaries through public proceedings.

To fulfill its groundwater management responsibilities, the agency may conduct technical studies, adopt regulations, and impose fees on groundwater extraction and related activities. The legislation requires coordination agreements with other local agencies managing portions of the Tule Subbasin to ensure aligned sustainability efforts. The board may exempt operators extracting below specified groundwater amounts from certain requirements.

The bill amends the Water Code to designate the Tulare Basin agency among California's exclusive groundwater management entities, while preserving its ability to opt out of this role. If enacted, board members must be selected by November 2026, after which the agency can begin developing its sustainability plan and implementing management strategies.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 447
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 8, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
130013PASS

Contacts

Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assembly Member
Committee Member