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| Assembly Bill 1879 (California) | |
|---|---|
| Title | Assembly Bill 1879 (California) |
| Introduced | 2016 |
| Author | Autumn R. Burke |
| Status | Enacted |
| Legislature | California State Assembly |
| Keywords | water, groundwater, agriculture, management, law |
Assembly Bill 1879 (California) was a 2016 California statute authored by Assemblymember Autumn R. Burke that amended water management and groundwater-related provisions of California law. The measure interacted with existing statutes and frameworks administered by state agencies and local districts, aiming to modify permitting, environmental review, and agricultural water use practices. The bill touched on multiple institutional actors and regulatory regimes in the state.
AB 1879 emerged amid a policy environment shaped by the California Department of Water Resources, the California State Water Resources Control Board, and the legislative aftermath of the 2012–2016 North American droughts and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. It was introduced during the term of Governor Jerry Brown when concurrent measures such as Senate Bill 88 and prior water statutes were under consideration by the California State Legislature. The bill was informed by technical reports from the Public Policy Institute of California, legal analyses from the Natural Resources Defense Council, and lobbying inputs from districts such as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Central Valley Project. Stakeholders included regional actors like the Santa Ana River Watershed Project Authority, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and agricultural organizations including the California Farm Bureau Federation.
AB 1879 contained provisions that amended existing codes governing groundwater extraction, well permitting, and environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. It proposed changes to the roles of local entities such as special districts and reclamation districts in coordinating with state agencies like the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife on mitigation and monitoring. The bill addressed interagency data sharing protocols tied to programs run by institutions such as the United States Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the University of California, Davis research centers. It also affected regulatory relationships with federal programs such as the Central Valley Project and compliance mechanisms related to rulings from courts including the California Supreme Court.
Introduced in the California State Assembly, AB 1879 proceeded through committee hearings in panels like the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill involved testimonies from representatives of environmental organizations including Sierra Club California, labor unions such as the Service Employees International Union, and municipal authorities like the City of Los Angeles. Debates referenced prior litigation including cases involving the Mono Lake Committee and decisions by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Floor votes reflected coalitions among members associated with districts represented by lawmakers like Henry Perea and John Laird.
Supporters of AB 1879 included statewide groups such as the California League of Cities, Association of California Water Agencies, and agricultural stakeholders such as the California Growers Association, which framed the bill as aligning with directives from the California Natural Resources Agency. Opponents included conservationists associated with Earthjustice, community organizations like Human Rights Watch that raised local human-impact concerns, and some municipal advocates concerned about funding shifts to entities such as the Delta Stewardship Council. Trade groups, research centers including Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, and local governments such as County of Kern participated in lobbying efforts on both sides.
Implementation of AB 1879 required coordination among agencies like the Department of Water Resources, the State Water Resources Control Board, and regional entities including the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District in monitoring environmental impacts. Enforcement mechanisms relied on administrative actions by state boards and potential civil remedies enforceable in courts including the California Superior Court. Data collection and reporting obligations called for collaboration with academic partners such as California State University, Fresno and federal partners like the Bureau of Reclamation. Funding and compliance timelines were tied to budgetary processes overseen by the California Department of Finance.
Analyses from institutions such as the Public Policy Institute of California and the Independent System Operator noted potential effects on agricultural sourcing practices practiced by companies operating in regions like the Central Valley and the Salton Sea Basin. Critics argued, via organizations like Defenders of Wildlife and the California Native Plant Society, that the bill might weaken certain environmental safeguards overseen by the California Coastal Commission or the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Proponents pointed to efficiencies cited by municipal utilities such as the East Bay Municipal Utility District and industry groups including the Western Growers Association. Academic commentators from University of California, Berkeley and Pepperdine University School of Public Policy offered differing assessments of legal and social impacts.
AB 1879 was considered in the context of related measures including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act packages and subsequent bills addressing water policy like Senate Bill X2 1 and local ordinances enacted by counties such as Los Angeles County and Kern County. Amendments during the legislative process adjusted provisions to reflect input from entities such as the California Water Commission and the California State Association of Counties. Subsequent legislation and ballot measures, including initiatives by coalitions like Yes on Water campaigns and oversight modifications through the Legislative Analyst's Office, continued to shape the statutory landscape in which AB 1879 operated.