Bill > AB1044

This bill creates the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) in Tulare County, California, as part of the state's broader Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) framework. The agency will be governed by a five-member board composed of representatives from Hope Water District, Ducor Water District, Tulare County, and two members representing agricultural interests. The agency's initial boundaries will include all land within the Hope and Ducor Water Districts, as well as a specific area within the Tule Subbasin east of certain irrigation districts. The agency is authorized to develop and implement a groundwater sustainability plan, manage groundwater resources, conduct investigations, and impose fees to fund its operations. Members will serve four-year terms and can receive up to $100 per day for meeting attendance. The bill emphasizes the unique circumstances of the Tule Subbasin that justify creating this specialized agency and grants the agency powers to coordinate with other local agencies, collect data, and regulate groundwater extraction while ensuring that all operators are treated equitably. By establishing this agency, the bill aims to preserve and sustainably manage groundwater resources in the specified territory.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1044