[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6572835,"mediaKeyId","3151798-5c00d27ee42b671c4292187f4b4ed8cd","parentId",3151798,"title","Assembly committee advances near‑term SR 37 project after dispute over ecology and timing","audioSeconds",376,"startMs",5661000,"endMs",6037000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3151798-5c00d27ee42b671c4292187f4b4ed8cd&start=5661&end=6037","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3151798-5c00d27ee42b671c4292187f4b4ed8cd/thumbnail_5661000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6572835/California/Assembly-committee-advances-nearterm-SR-37-project-after-dispute-over-ecology-and-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572835-bc243d84cffb2bc79e3d354d615f3171/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442694&Signature=XwKFkr86VKSMLmThF~HObSS7rUyRKyBfvhQOmoU2YhYLUzt-F267SX~dQR5MHB-zghVInHU0eg2bQADvQ0Rf76vp9guqHMuYBEy0ePkWPC8iikIZY08nQR0JOWLVOxebg50swvZcTAxxpuMjuUP~5vvudPh0r6KXPnETphRI5AyRjyNO0LP5WjozFDrJC2cYzHmsRWhMduG3Tg9RyuN8tBcvgVUrELcAPzBAcrm96YSjb5mmB5NQ6sy12AvMklNN0EXituXx8JyrgIXUm6U5QBJGfZM9q4vTXoxHercudXbytK7oMIJdz8VerZfLVem-NhzoxvvTRnc51lb0rc8Ybg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Assembly","date","2025-04-29T00:00:00Z","article","Assemblymember Damon Wilson presented AB 697, a bill intended to authorize the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue an incidental‑take permit for a near‑term improvement project on State Route 37 between Mare Island and Sears Point. The measure is tailored to allow construction work and associated habitat restoration — including preservation and restoration in the San Pablo Baylands — to proceed with regulatory clarity and permit conditions specific to four listed species.

Wilson told the committee the corridor suffers chronic congestion and that the interim project could be implemented more quickly and at far lower cost than the long‑term vision, which he said could exceed $10 billion and take decades to complete. “The restoration work is time sensitive, and we risk losing $70,000,000 — most of it tied to restoration — if the bill doesn't pass this year,” Marin County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton Peters said in support.

Supporters, including the Solano Transportation Authority, said the interim plan would reduce vehicle miles traveled, enable new transit service on a corridor that currently lacks dependable bus service, and advance immediate ecological restoration while the more ambitious, longer‑term solution is funded and developed.

Opponents, including Transform and several conservation groups, argued the bill would effectively fast‑track a highway‑widening project and could displace or delay a more resilient, long‑term climate adaptation plan. Transform called the interim project “a dangerous precedent for future climate‑damaging highway expansion projects” and said a short‑lived widened roadway risks being submerged by sea‑level rise within a few decades.

Tribal representatives also raised concerns about cultural resources and said consultations must be meaningful; the author and sponsors said they have begun and will continue tribal outreach.

Committee action: After lengthy testimony and questions, the committee voted to pass AB 697 as amended to the Appropriations Committee. Members recorded votes during the roll call on the measure; the committee chair left the item open for finalization and co‑author additions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Business and Professions Committee","oneSentenceSummary","AB 697 would authorize incidental‑take permitting for a near‑term SR 37 corridor project designed to reduce congestion and fund habitat restoration in the San Pablo Baylands.","taxTitle","California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California","taxId",17099,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6572838,"Assembly advances temporary SGMA exemption for managed wetlands and small community water systems",447,2350000,2797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3151798-5c00d27ee42b671c4292187f4b4ed8cd&start=2350&end=2797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3151798-5c00d27ee42b671c4292187f4b4ed8cd/thumbnail_2350000.jpg","/articles/6572838/California/Assembly-advances-temporary-SGMA-exemption-for-managed-wetlands-and-small-community-water-systems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572838-3ddda5ed0c6fe17dd77ef324557d1746/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442694&Signature=eXBzjDe-ZKprrUA~tBUunSmUeSZBgxfurmSWXwBVc5DI1dvgRsv1pTkPBfQL5mch7TUacMKfMnP90MUuDgQyTso~3-Q1RNRAxfrdE-PwknXP33y3SRJssvkQHVAyMqs4x1z~F-eJt648SUX0OZ0mo8gJ7epl~Bcsgh6dCOZuzCXLNR5qE0yM4SXZb54P9ESx2G6MS4LB17tzFp5JNZi7NVhiQ0kgGeaqxWRkcXI-XwJrrvjXcfTDUhlJiOCG3P4PirbE9p1Ua5-ZkdQ2vt0pf9tB~ZPRTpesahxogpTZIAulxqrSp-WFAxRsEVkJFuJYed1FCGOR~EnKZ16vXBTd7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Tim Connolly introduced AB 929 to temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain pumping reductions and fines under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and to require groundwater sustainability plans to explicitly assess impacts on these uses.

The bill would exempt the amount of groundwater “historically required” to support small community water systems and to annually flood managed wetlands; any increase beyond historical use would remain subject to GSA regulation. AB 929 also directs groundwater sustainability plans to document impacts on wetlands and small water systems and sunsets the exemption in three years.

Why it matters: Managed wetlands and small disadvantaged systems are often among the most vulnerable water users in overdrafted basins. Supporters said the change would protect habitat and drinking water in places that represent only a small fraction of basin pumping but have outsized ecological and public‑health value.

Supporters, including Audubon California and Community Water Center, argued that many groundwater sustainability plans have not adequately identified managed wetlands or small water systems and that SGMA implementation needs a narrow, time‑limited fix. “This bill temporarily exempt[s] small community water systems and managed wetlands which make up less than 2% of the groundwater use in the Central Valley from pumping reductions and fines under SGMA,” Connolly said during his presentation.

Opponents, led by the California Farm Bureau and the Valley Ag Water Coalition, said the bill risks undermining SGMA’s universal approach to groundwater regulation and could shift costs and pumping reductions to other users. Farm Bureau testimony urged that GSAs — and, when necessary, the State Water Board — already have tools to address gaps in plans.

Committee action: After extended testimony and back‑and‑forth with stakeholders, the Assembly committee voted to pass AB 929 as amended and refer it to the Appropriations Committee. The committee recorded votes during roll call (recorded on the transcript as the measure moving to appropriations).","A proposal to temporarily exempt managed wetlands and small community water systems from some Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) pumping reductions and fees advanced out of an Assembly committee after hours of debate between environmental advocates and agricultural groups.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6572825,"Assembly committee backs bill letting department accept permits for petitioned species, with scientists urging guardrails",1390,4710000,6100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3151798-5c00d27ee42b671c4292187f4b4ed8cd&start=4710&end=6100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3151798-5c00d27ee42b671c4292187f4b4ed8cd/thumbnail_4710000.jpg","/articles/6572825/California/Assembly-committee-backs-bill-letting-department-accept-permits-for-petitioned-species-with-scientists-urging-guardrails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572825-dcce254333c2fd5869d234c6aaa98c09/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442694&Signature=bNRTREIX5qyicXxDxUrU69ehIiCuSlFBRMWWn3TSSHaFEw8O6XTZ9YEaF06rGIN9XPZdBbpNmzNfWT2EulNqNmrP070xL-vyAUCU6-fa9W9VoipN0zQ8hxvyO7CMgy2MOFOOqK7i-Xvwn1gHyDbgKCvuh2RWHOy9q9K6tDjlhu~ixhMd-y-zfRJ5e6xP-Va4d2hJnW2UoAR2DLOzg66ASlrEaE6AQf6X78tvPc~Al~B6645hLX6t5wgVJ6exsbe4gewV7JuCjuoRb~plfYYLosdSkSM6v6QGVdYt3MVKPSfjMsLyVbhWBDuexZKQgqUlklWz2GMCsr8boz48v4c0MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Cottie Petrie‑Norris sponsored AB 550 to allow developers to apply to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for incidental‑take permits for species that have reached the Commission petition review stage but are not yet formally listed. The bill aims to close a legal gap that can leave large energy projects in regulatory limbo when petition activity arises mid‑construction.

Proponents from the renewable energy industry and the Large‑Scale Solar Association said permitting uncertainty can delay projects and raise costs “to ratepayers.” Lillian Mervis of the Large‑Scale Solar Association told the committee, “When these projects... are subject to such uncertainty, it only serves to increase cost to ratepayers.” Intersect Power and industry sponsors said AB 550 would allow earlier mitigation planning and could fund scientific research to improve conservation outcomes.

Environmental groups including Defenders of Wildlife, Audubon California and the California Native Plant Society said the bill needs clearer standards before the department can issue such permits. They asked for language ensuring any pre‑listing permit meet the fully mitigated standard under CESA and that scientific research not be used as a substitute for protecting conserved habitat. Defenders also recommended a fee authority so the department can fund the added permitting workload.

Committee action: After testimony and an exchange about safeguards, the Assembly committee voted to pass AB 550 as amended and sent it to Appropriations.","AB 550 would allow the Department of Fish and Wildlife to accept incidental‑take permit applications for species that have been petitioned for listing but are not yet listed. Supporters said the change reduces costly uncertainty for clean‑energy projects; conservation groups sought clearer standards and limits on using research as mitigation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6572830,"Assembly committee approves phase‑out plan allowing gillnet permit transfers until 2027",472,6789000,7261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3151798-5c00d27ee42b671c4292187f4b4ed8cd&start=6789&end=7261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3151798-5c00d27ee42b671c4292187f4b4ed8cd/thumbnail_6789000.jpg","/articles/6572830/California/Assembly-committee-approves-phaseout-plan-allowing-gillnet-permit-transfers-until-2027","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6572830-42a7ec3de969a7146a45cd1af1768259/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442694&Signature=ZFAkUKhZ56vrm8LhudEnt7ZeMUFFi8ZAEP79camYcHH9IgF1P7zFlIxaC1~mexX~RbpTb82ua0uIj1~5p6FyUXcEhF8kbk1HH-GmryZlM-UnzCbrsQi7cegsnIZVv6H3R5oD2fGSoSk~xJ2yCTRN1qY0139hjlHVceCEXJfPetR~vqCBV3U1XZDy9iYCqmST6lIW7OiG4p0EXprBIwWUYY4C3zlaIAyADD7yhuZRHw~o-97HzeCM3vz2bFs189cALtlqZmekZGelFpr2d2tr4b8-RnnVYN0n4nDCukOKiQlXKiUSnItig70S-6OOnhLOUf3ZAvzR4BT4~umvxpeIHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Bennett introduced AB 1056 to permit transfers of set gillnet fishing permits until 2027, allow a 1‑time family transfer after that date, and then make the permits permanently nontransferable. Bennett framed the measure as a gradual reform that preserves livelihoods while preventing expansion of a gear type many stakeholders say produces significant bycatch.

Bennett described the bill as “a 1 time family transfer, to a family member is permissible after 2027, after which the permit will become permanently non transferable.” Supporters including Oceana and the Resource Renewal Institute said the bill aligns with broader California reforms and closes a legislative gap the Fish & Game Commission identified — namely, that the commission has regulatory authority but not statutory authority to limit permit transfers.

Opponents from the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and regional fishermen's groups said removing transferability sets a precedent against private property expectations in fisheries and could harm multi‑generational family businesses. The opposition urged continued management at the Fish and Game Commission level rather than a legislative remedy.

Committee action: The committee advanced AB 1056 as amended to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call showed a mix of yes, no and abstentions as recorded on the transcript; committee members signaled continuing oversight as the measure moves forward.","AB 1056 would allow current set‑gillnet permit holders to transfer permits until Jan. 1, 2027, permit a one‑time family transfer thereafter, and then make permits nontransferable — a gradual phase‑out proponents said balances fishermen's livelihoods and conservation concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly committee advances near‑term SR 37 project after dispute over ecology and timing

Assembly advances temporary SGMA exemption for managed wetlands and small community water systems

Assembly committee backs bill letting department accept permits for petitioned species, with scientists urging guardrails

Assembly committee approves phase‑out plan allowing gillnet permit transfers until 2027