California Farm Bureau Advocacy in Action

Water 

The California Farm Bureau plans to attend all meetings of the California State Water Resources Control Board’s second statewide agricultural expert panel. 

Farm Bureau was involved in the first expert panel and has heavily litigated the issue. Litigation related to the Central Coast Agriculture Order that Farm Bureau was involved in led to convening of the second expert panel. 

The state’s second statewide agricultural expert panel will meet in person and virtually Aug. 8 and Aug. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to evaluate the data collected as part of the state’s Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program and consider the approaches adopted in waste discharge requirements issued by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board for growers in the eastern San Joaquin River watershed. 

To register to participate or to learn more, go to www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/agriculture/2025-expert-panel.html. 

Meanwhile, the State Water Resources Control Board last week released a revised draft update to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan and seeks public comment on the document through Sept. 10. 

The announcement begins a public review and comment period on the proposal that would update measures in the Bay-Delta plan to protect the Sacramento River, the delta and associated tributaries

The revised draft includes proposed changes based on input and comments received throughout the planning process, including additional options for flow and habitat, and refinements to the water-user-supported alternative titled “Healthy Rivers and Landscapes,” also known as the “voluntary agreements.”

State law requires that the state water board adopt water quality control plans to protect and balance beneficial uses of water, including municipal, industrial, agricultural, and fish and wildlife uses. 

The board scheduled a public hearing to receive comments on the revised document on Sept. 8 and 9 in Sacramento. 

California Farm Bureau plans to submit written comments. Additional information on opportunities to comment are available on the board’s notice.

Williamson Act

Solano County Farm Bureau member Daniel Jones provided testimony in support of state Senate Bill 5, aimed at safeguarding California’s Williamson Act lands from being swept into infrastructure financing districts. 

Jones provided testimony in support of the legislation, authored by state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, D-West Sacramento, at a July 16 hearing before the state Assembly Committee on Local Government. 

The bill would exclude the taxes levied upon a parcel of land enrolled in or subject to a Williamson Act contract or a farmland security zone contract from allocations to an enhanced infrastructure district or community revitalization authority. The legislation passed from the committee with bipartisan support

Ultra-processed foods

California Farm Bureau continues to oppose state legislation that seeks to address public health concerns by classifying food into two categories: ultra-processed food or not ultra-processed food. 

Farm Bureau’s concerns about Assembly Bill 1264, by Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, were shared last week with the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. While the bill advanced out of committee and heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee, many key issues are unresolved. 

Concerns remain about liability implications and the lack of clarity on what qualifies as ultra-processed food. Despite amendments, the bill still does not provide the technical specificity for stakeholders to be confident in its direction. Farm Bureau plans to continue working with coalition partners to voice concerns about the legislation.