On Tuesday, the two legislative main groundwater management reform bills passed their second house policy committees.   Both of the bills are “works in progress.”  SB 1168 is based on recommendations contained in a report authored by the California Water Foundation, and AB 1739 is based on recommendations contained in a report authored by the Association of California Water Agencies.

Both authors are principal co-authors of each other’s bills, and they have pledged to work with each other, the Administration, and stakeholders to develop one comprehensive groundwater management reform bill to be enacted prior to the end of the final legislative recess on August 31, 2014.  A series of meetings during the legislative summer recess (July 4-August 3) will be held with this goal in mind.  The Administration also has a groundwater management reform proposal, but they have opted for now to work with the authors of the two bills.  The Administration has a groundwater management budget trailer bill waiting in the wings if needed. 

Given the short timeframe between the recent amendments and the hearings, RCRC and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) submitted a preliminary joint comment letter on each bill, as well as testimony at the two hearings.     

The text of SB 1168, as well as analysis and vote can be accessed here. RCRC’s joint SB 1168 letter can be accessed here.

The text of AB 1739, as well as analysis and vote can be accessed here. RCRC’s joint AB 1739 letter can be accessed here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at (916) 447-4806 or kmannion@rcrcnet.org.