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AB-1635 • 2026

Pit dewatering: prohibition.

Pit dewatering: prohibition.

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
2026-03-17
Official status
Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for violations.

Pit Dewatering Prohibition

AB-1635 prohibits pit dewatering in areas with subsurface river flow or groundwater levels shallower than 50 feet below ground without a permit.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits pit dewatering in certain areas without obtaining a permit from the lead agency.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who conduct surface mining operations
  • Lead agencies responsible for issuing permits and approving reclamation plans

Terms To Know

pit dewatering
The process of removing water from a mine pit.
surface mining
Mining activity that removes surface materials to get at minerals below the ground.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify penalties for violating this prohibition.
  • Does not detail how enforcement will be carried out or by whom.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-17 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.

  2. 2026-03-16 California Legislative Information

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

  3. 2026-03-16 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.

  4. 2026-01-27 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee February 26.

  5. 2026-01-26 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1635, as amended, Arambula.
Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975.
Pit dewatering: prohibition.
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.
The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 governs surface mining operations in the state.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the provision naming that act.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF