AB 1044: Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, requires all groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority basins by the Department of Water Resources to be managed under a groundwater sustainability plan or coordinated groundwater sustainability plans, except as specified. The act authorizes any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin to decide to become a groundwater sustainability agency for that basin. The act deems certain agencies created by statute to manage groundwater the exclusive local agencies within their respective statutory boundaries with powers to comply with the act and authorizes these agencies to opt out of being the exclusive groundwater management agency.

This bill would create the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency and would establish the agency’s initial boundaries. The bill would authorize the boundaries of the agency to be adjusted, as specified. The bill would require the agency to elect to be a groundwater sustainability agency under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act for that portion of the Tule Subbasin that lies within the boundaries of the agency and would require the agency to develop and implement a groundwater sustainability plan to achieve sustainable groundwater management within the territory of the agency. The bill would generally specify the powers and purposes of the agency. The bill would prescribe the composition of the 5-member board of directors of the agency and would require members and alternates to be chosen, as specified. By imposing duties on the agency and the County of Tulare, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would deem the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency the exclusive local agency with powers to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Tule Subbasin.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 2, 2026Died on inactive file.
2. June 9, 2025Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member Macedo.
3. May 23, 2025Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading. (Page 1689.)
4. May 15, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. May 14, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
6. May 1, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7. April 9, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.
8. March 10, 2025Referred to Coms. on W. P., & W. and L. GOV.
9. February 21, 2025From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
10. February 20, 2025Read first time. To print.