KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to California

AB-1425 • 2026

San Joaquin River Parkway: pit dewatering.

San Joaquin River Parkway: pit dewatering.

Land Water
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Arambula
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included claims that were not supported in the provided official source material, such as requirements for surface mining and impacts on the State Geologist's role.

San Joaquin River Parkway: No Dewatering

AB-1425 prohibits pit dewatering in areas of the San Joaquin River Parkway where groundwater is less than 50 feet below ground.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits removing water from underground pits within the San Joaquin River Parkway if there is a subsurface river or groundwater less than 50 feet below ground.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People or companies planning to mine in areas of the San Joaquin River Parkway with shallow groundwater.

Terms To Know

pit dewatering
the process of removing water from underground pits or holes

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the consequences for breaking this rule.
  • It makes a minor change to how mineral collections are prepared for exhibitions, which is not significant.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-04-28 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.

  4. 2025-04-01 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.

  5. 2025-03-28 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.

  6. 2025-03-28 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.

  7. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  8. 2025-02-22 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.

  9. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1425, as amended, Arambula.
Geology: ores and minerals.
San Joaquin River Parkway: pit dewatering.
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.
This bill would prohibit pit dewatering, as defined, in areas with subsurface river flow or groundwater levels shallower than 50 feet below ground anywhere within the San Joaquin River Parkway, as defined.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the San Joaquin River Parkway.
Existing law authorizes the State Geologist to prepare a special collection of ores and minerals of California to be sent to or used at any world’s fair or exposition in order to display the mineral wealth of the State of California.
This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to this provision.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF