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AB-1044

Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act

Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 7:05 AM

In one sentence

This bill creates the Tulare Basin Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency to manage groundwater in a specific part of the Tule Subbasin and requires it to create a sustainability plan.

Creates the Tulare Basin Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency with initial boundaries that can be adjusted as specified.
Requires the agency to become a groundwater sustainability agency under state law for its portion of the Tule Subbasin.
Mandates the development and implementation of a groundwater sustainability plan within the agency's territory.
Sets up a 5-member board of directors with rules on how members and alternates are chosen.
Designates this new group as the exclusive local agency allowed to manage groundwater under state law in its area.

The newly created Tulare Basin Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Residents and landowners within the defined boundaries of the portion of the Tule Subbasin covered by the agency
The County of Tulare, which has new duties under this law

The bill states that no state reimbursement is required for costs created by the act but does not explain the reason.
The exact final boundaries of the agency are set initially but can be adjusted later as specified in the rules.
The text notes legislative findings about why a special statute is needed, but it does not list those specific reasons.

Plain language

Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA): A local group created to manage and protect underground water supplies in a specific area.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: State law that requires certain groundwater basins to be managed with long-term plans to prevent overuse.
Exclusive local agency: The only group legally allowed to manage a specific resource, in this case, groundwater, within its boundaries under state law.

Official record

Source attached

Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act.

Official activity