AB-568 • 2026

Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act.

Education Water

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Macedo
Last action: 2026-03-09
Official status: Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member Macedo.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide detailed information about the exact boundaries or adjustments for the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act

The Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act establishes the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency to manage groundwater sustainably in a specific area of Tulare County.

What This Bill Does

Creates the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency with defined initial boundaries that can be adjusted.
Requires the agency to develop and implement a plan for sustainable groundwater management within its territory.
Specifies the composition of the 5-member board of directors, including how members are chosen.

Who It Names or Affects

People living in the area covered by the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency's boundaries.
Local agencies and the County of Tulare involved with water management.

Terms To Know

Groundwater: Water found underground in soil or rock layers, often used for drinking and irrigation.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: A law that requires careful management of groundwater to ensure it lasts long-term.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact boundaries or adjustments for the agency.
It is unclear how much local agencies will be affected beyond what is stated in the bill.

Bill History

2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member Macedo.
2025-09-10 California Legislative Information
From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (September 10).
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2025-09-04 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2501.).
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-19 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
2025-07-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-18 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 16).
2025-07-02 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
2025-06-25 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2025-06-25 California Legislative Information
Withdrawn from committee.
2025-06-24 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-06-24 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-06-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-06-05 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-04 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 72. Noes 0. Page 2079.)
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
Action rescinded whereby the bill was placed on inactive file.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member Lackey.
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-03-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (March 25).
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-02-13 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.
2025-02-12 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 568, as amended, Macedo.
Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency Act.
Existing law, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, requires all groundwater basins designated as high- or medium-priority basins by the Department of Water Resources to be managed under a groundwater sustainability plan or coordinated groundwater sustainability plans, except as specified. The act authorizes any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a groundwater basin to decide to become a groundwater sustainability agency for that basin. The act deems certain agencies created by statute to manage groundwater the exclusive local agencies within their respective statutory boundaries with powers to comply with the act and authorizes these agencies to opt out of being the exclusive groundwater management agency.
This bill would create the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency and would establish the agency’s initial
boundaries. The bill would authorize the boundaries of the agency to be adjusted, as specified. The bill would require the agency to elect to be a groundwater sustainability agency under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act for that portion of the Tule Subbasin that lies within the boundaries of the agency and would require the agency to develop and implement a groundwater sustainability plan to achieve sustainable groundwater management within the territory of the agency. The bill would generally specify the powers and purposes of the agency. The bill would prescribe the composition of the 5-member board of directors of the agency and would require members and alternates to be chosen, as specified. By imposing duties on the agency and the County of Tulare, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would deem the Tule East Groundwater Sustainability Agency the exclusive local agency with powers to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Tule Subbasin.
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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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