AB 1635: Pit dewatering: prohibition.

California · Assembly · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified March 18, 2026

What AB 1635 does, verified March 18, 2026

This bill would prohibit the practice of pit dewatering in areas with subsurface river flow or groundwater levels shallower than 50 feet below ground. Pit dewatering is a process used in surface mining operations, and this ban would restrict its use in certain environments. The goal of this restriction is to protect groundwater and surface water resources from potential harm.

Bill journey

1IntroducedCurrent

2In CommitteePending

3First Chamber FloorPending

4Second ChamberPending

5GovernorPending

6ChapteredPending

Last action: Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES. (2026-03-17)Alert me

Author and sponsors

Asm. Joaquin ArambulaAuthor · California State Assembly

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Recent actions5 total · showing 5

Mar. 17, 2026	Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
Mar. 16, 2026	From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.
Mar. 16, 2026	Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
Jan. 27, 2026	From printer. May be heard in committee February 26.
Jan. 26, 2026	Read first time. To print.

Latest bill textAmended version, March 16, 2026 · 310 words

Amended IN Assembly March 16, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1635

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.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

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.~~

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO

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 1.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.~~

Text of AB 1635 as amended, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions