AB 580: Surface mining: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Official summary

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

(1)The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 prohibits a person, with exceptions, from conducting surface mining operations unless, among other things, a permit is obtained from, a specified reclamation plan is submitted to and approved by, and financial assurances for reclamation have been approved by, the lead agency for the operation of the surface mining operation. Existing law authorizes the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) to prepare a master reclamation plan, as provided, that identifies each individual surface mining operation in specified counties and satisfies all reclamation plan requirements for each individual surface mining site. Existing law requires the State Mining and Geology Board to act as the lead agency for surface mining operations conducted by the MWD and authorizes the board to conduct an inspection of an individual surface mining operation once every 2 calendar years during a period when that individual surface mining operation is idle or the site has no mineral production. Existing law requires the MWD to be the lead agency for any environmental review of the master reclamation plan. Existing law repeals the provisions authorizing the preparation and approval of the master reclamation plan for the MWD on January 1, 2026.

This bill would extend the operation of those provisions until January 1, 2041. To the extent this bill would require a local government acting as a lead agency for environmental review of the master reclamation plan to perform those additional duties for a longer period of time, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(2)This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

(3)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. October 3, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 270, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 3, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 4, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. August 28, 2025Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 2760.).
5. August 26, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. August 25, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 2251.).
7. August 20, 2025Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
8. August 19, 2025From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.
9. July 17, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. July 17, 2025From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 16).
11. June 4, 2025Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
12. May 23, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.