Assembly committee advances multiple natural-resources and public-safety bills, splits on water-board emergency authority

A California State Assembly committee on March 25 advanced a bundle of bills on conservation, public safety and water regulation while debating how to balance regulatory agility and public accountability.

Assemblymember Ramos opened the hearing on AB 15 92, which would authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a governance agreement with a California Indian Heritage Center support organization. Tribal chairwoman Erica Pinto testified in strong support, saying the center "represents a commitment by the state to honor the truth of our history and to celebrate the living cultures of more than 100 native nations" and called the center "long overdue." Pinto and the bill's supporters noted the state previously appropriated $100,000,000 for the project (2018) and that a 43‑acre land transfer has been pledged by the city of West Sacramento; she said AB 15 92 would not appropriate new state funds but would create a partnership and governance framework to unlock private fundraising.

The committee next advanced AB 22 16 to expand the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta Conservancy’s service area and fundable project types. Michael Jayer of the Nature Conservancy told members the change would allow larger watershed‑scale projects, support wildfire‑resilience…