Assembly committee removes sunset on Reclamation District 108 hydropower authority

The California State Assembly Local Government Committee voted 7-0 to pass AB 59, a bill that removes a statutory sunset on Reclamation District 108’s (RD 108) authority to participate in hydropower projects.

Supporters told the committee the existing sunset — set to expire on 01/01/2026 — prevents RD 108 from securing long-term financing for proposed hydro projects. “To make these long term investments, RD 108 needs assurance. They need the assurance that it can participate in these projects over at least a 35 year period,” the bill’s author said during the hearing.

The bill’s backers described RD 108 as a large water district that covers roughly 48,000 acres of farmland in Colusa and Yolo counties and said the district has identified potential opportunities for small hydropower facilities in existing canals. Dorese Kelsbeck Smith, chair of the Colusa County Board of Supervisors, said, “AB 59 is an important measure that would allow RD 108 … to continue to seek opportunities to develop power through hydroelectric generation.”

Other supporters included Lewis Baer, general manager of RD 108; Ivy Britton of the Northern California Water Association; Raquel Ayala, testifying on behalf of the California Central Valley Flood Control Association; and Jeff Neal representing Yolo County. Committee discussion on the bill was brief and procedural; no primary witnesses testified in opposition during the hearing.

The committee left the bill open for additional members to add on and then took a roll call vote. The committee reported the measure out of the Local Government Committee with a 7-0 vote.

Votes at a glance: AB 59 — Do pass as amended; committee vote 7-0.

The bill now moves forward in the legislative process; committee members left the measure open so other members could add amendments or comments before transmittal.