AB 1635 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pit dewatering: prohibition.

Summary

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.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Last action Mar 17, 2026

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What changed between versions

01/26/26 - Introduced → 03/16/26 - Amended Assembly · 4 edits · Mar 16, 2026

MODERATE

AB 1635 was substantially expanded from a minor naming correction to include a new prohibition on pit dewatering in areas where subsurface river flow exists or groundwater levels are shallower than 50 feet below ground. The amendment adds Section 2770.2 to the Public Resources Code, defining 'pit dewatering' broadly to include pumped water, drained water, and wet pit overflows from rainfall or seepage. This shifts the bill from a purely technical fix to a substantive environmental regulation affecting surface mining operations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded significantly from a nonsubstantive naming correction to include a substantive prohibition on pit dewatering operations in areas with shallow groundwater or subsurface river flow, adding new regulatory obligations for surface mining operators under the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975.

SCOPE

New Section 2770.2 added to the Public Resources Code prohibiting pit dewatering in areas with subsurface river flow or groundwater levels shallower than 50 feet below ground.

DEFINITION

Defines 'pit dewatering' as any water impounded or collected in a pit that is pumped, drained, or otherwise removed through the efforts of the pit operator, and also includes wet pit overflows caused solely by direct rainfall or groundwater seepage.

FISCAL

Fiscal committee analysis changed from 'no' to 'yes', indicating the amendment triggers a fiscal impact review.

TECHNICAL

The original Section 1 (correcting 'known known' to 'known' in Section 2710) is renumbered as the second section after the newly added Section 2770.2 becomes Section 1.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 17, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

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

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Committee

Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

From printer. May be heard in committee February 26.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors