CALIFORNIA SUPPORT.
WATER AB 429 This bill was another attempt to put onerous requirements on farmers who need to drill a new well or replace an old well. The bill would have likely resulted in restricted water availability for food production and unnecessary interference with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. WG was a key part of the opposition that caused this bill to be held in committee and not move this year. AB 460 This bill applies to the public trust doctrine and would allow the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to adopt an interim relief order imposing new minimum instream flows, is contrary to the state and federal constitutions, and would allow for increased penalties. There was fierce opposition to this measure from agriculture and water districts due to overall concerns that water reliability in California could be questioned due to the overly broad language of the bill. The bill failed passage out of the Senate. AB 1337 This bill would give the SWRCB unprecedented statutory authority to curtail the diversion or use of water under any claim of right during any water year—even in a year of record precipitation. Furthermore, this bill infringes on due process protections and does not provide a process for people that will be impacted by a decision under the bill to provide evidence and be heard by a neutral arbiter. WG was a key player in opposition to the bill. We were successful in having the bill held in committee. SB 389 This bill would authorize the SWRCB to investigate and ascertain whether a water right is valid. WG helped negotiate these amendments because the original bill would have authorized the SWRCB to investigate water diversions and use of that water. SB 389 was signed into law.
Western Growers’ Government Affairs team works tirelessly to keep the best interests of agriculture, farmers and farmworkers in the forefront of legislators’ minds as they craft legislation. Farming, in all of its many aspects, is a vital element of California’s culture and economy; the WGA voice is and has been a strong and trusted resource for agriculture.
– WG Board Member Catherine Fanucchi Tri-Fanucchi Farms
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