Though the State Legislature is on recess until August 5, the days and weeks leading up to the July recess bustled with activity, particularly in policy committees.
In a landmark achievement, PAGA reform legislation was approved in the Legislature and signed by Governor Newsom.
Some bills that Ag Council opposed failed in committee, such as the bill to severely restrict groundwater wells and legislation to allow striking workers to be paid after two weeks.
Other measures we support to streamline the process to recharge groundwater during a flood event, and a bill to establish a water supply target in the next California Water Plan, continue to move forward.
Many bills were significantly amended recently. As a result, Ag Council removed opposition due to those amendments. This includes separate bills that would have banned or restricted the use of certain pesticides and rodenticides, as well as legislation relating to industrial sector emissions.
Climate Bond Heading for Nov. Ballot
A $10 billion bond to address climate, water and wildfire issues recently passed the Legislature and was signed on July 3 by acting Governor Mike McGuire (D-North Coast), who is Senate Leader and serves as acting governor if both Governor Newsom and Lt. Governor Kounalakis are out of state.
The measure is titled the “Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparation, Flood Protection, Extreme Heat Mitigation, Clean Energy & Workforce Development Bond Act of 2024.”
The bond will be placed on the November 2024 ballot. Click HERE for an overview of the bond.