The California Groundwater Association joined a broad coalition of 39 businesses and agricultural organizations in June to oppose Assembly Bill 2201, which died on the assembly floor during the final hours of California’s legislative season on August 31.
AB 2201, authored by Assembly Member Steve Bennett (D-Ventura), would have created burdensome technical requirements and unaffordable costs on well applicants.
The coalition also argued that AB 2201 would have:
- Interfered with the right of landowners to beneficially use the groundwater beneath their property
- Increased the likelihood of legal challenges against counties and groundwater sustainability agencies for well permitting decisions.
The list of organizations include:
- African American Farmers of California
- Agricultural Council of California
- Almond Alliance of California
- Brea Chamber of Commerce
- California Association of Winegrape Growers
- California Chamber of Commerce
- California Citrus Mutual
- California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association
- California Farm Bureau Federation
- California Fresh Fruit Association
- California Grain and Feed Association
- California League of Food Producers
- California Pear Growers Association
- California Seed Association
- California Walnut Commission
- Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
- Chico Chamber of Commerce
- Family Winemakers of California
- Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce
- Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
- La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce
- Livermore Chamber of Commerce
- Lodi Chamber of Commerce
- Modesto Chamber of Commerce
- Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
- Nisei Farmers League
- Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
- Orange County Business Council
- Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Southwest CA Legislative Council
- Tri County Chamber Alliance
- Tulare Chamber of Commerce
- Valley Ag Water Coalition
- Western Agricultural Processors Association
- Western Growers Association
- Western Plant Health Association
- Winegrowers of Napa County
- Wine Institute.