AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 16, 2026
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
98
Introduced by Assembly Member Arambula
January 26, 2026
An act to amend Section 2710 of the Public Resources Code, relating to geology. An act to add Section 2770.2 to the Public Resources Code, relating to geology.
Vote: majority Appropriation: no Fiscal committee: yes Local program: no
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST
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.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the provision naming that act.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 2770.2 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:
2770.2.
(a) A person shall not conduct pit dewatering in areas with subsurface river flow or groundwater levels shallower than 50 feet below ground.
(b) For purposes of this section, “pit dewatering” means any water that is impounded or that collects in the pit and is pumped, drained, or otherwise removed from the pit through the efforts of the pit operator. This term also includes wet pit overflows caused solely by direct rainfall or ground water seepage.
Section 2710 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:
2710.
This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975.