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<ns0:Id>20250AB__203298AMD</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>98</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-17</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_ASSEMBLY</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-03-19</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
<ns0:MeasureType>AB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>2032</ns0:MeasureNum>
<ns0:MeasureState>AMD</ns0:MeasureState>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Ransom</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Ransom</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title> An act to add Sections 2150.6 and 2301.5 to the Fish and Game Code, to add Section 12824.1 to the Food and Agricultural Code, and to add Section 13371 to the Water Code, relating to fish and wildlife. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>fish and wildlife</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Fish and wildlife: golden mussels.</ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>
(1)
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Existing law, until January 1, 2030, generally prohibits a person from possessing, importing, shipping, or transporting in the state, or from placing, planting, or causing to be placed or planted in any water within the state, invasive mussels, as defined. Existing law requires a public or private agency that operates a water supply system to cooperate with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement measures to avoid infestation by invasive mussels and to control or eradicate any infestation that may occur in a water supply system, and, if invasive mussels are detected, to prepare and implement a plan, as specified, to control or eradicate invasive mussels within the system.
</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law prohibits the
importation, transportation, possession, or live release of specified wild animals, except under a revocable, nontransferable permit, known as a restricted species permit, issued by the department, in cooperation with the Department of Food and Agriculture, and only if certain requirements are met.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law authorizes the department to issue permits, commonly known as scientific collecting permits, to take or possess any
form of plant or animal life for scientific, educational, or propagation purposes.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would exempt from the requirement to obtain a restricted species permit a public or private agency that operates a water supply system for maintenance and operational activities to control the spread of golden mussels in the water supply system, as specified.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the department’s Invasive Species Program, through the Golden Mussel Task Force convened by the department, to develop and adopt, by April 1, 2027, best management practices for public and
private agencies that operate water supply systems to control the spread of golden mussels, as specified, and would encourage those public and private agencies to comply with those best management practices. The bill would also require the department’s Invasive Species Program, through the Golden Mussel Task Force, to adopt, by April 1, 2027, guidance for scientific research conducted by or for public and private agencies that operate water supply systems to control the spread of golden mussels, as specified, and would encourage those private and agencies to comply with that guidance.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would exempt scientific research to control the spread of golden mussels conducted by or for public and private agencies that operate water supply systems from scientific collecting permits issued by the department if the public or private agency participates in the
Golden Mussel Task Force, as that participation may be determined by the department.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the department to update the spatial distribution maps of golden mussel-infested water bodies posted on its internet website no less than quarterly based on monitoring and reported detections, as prescribed.</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Existing law requires every manufacturer of, importer of, or dealer in any pesticide, except as specified, to obtain a certificate of registration from the Department of Pesticide Regulation before the pesticide is offered for sale. Existing law requires the Director of Pesticide Regulation to endeavor to eliminate from use in the state specified pesticides, and in carrying
out this responsibility, to develop an orderly program for the continuous evaluation of all pesticides actually registered, as specified.
</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the department to expedite, as prescribed, the evaluation of pesticides that are a chemical treatment effective for the prevention, mitigation, control, or eradication of golden mussels in a water supply system operated by a public or private agency.</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board and the 9 California regional water quality control boards regulate water quality and prescribe waste discharge requirements in accordance with the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and the national pollutant
discharge elimination system permit program.
</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would require the state board and regional boards to expedite, as prescribed, the processing of any national pollutant discharge elimination system permit or permit modification to the extent allowable under state and federal law if the permit or permit modification is submitted by a public or private agency that operates a water supply system in order to control the spread of golden mussels.</html:p>
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<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>NO</ns0:LocalProgram>
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<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_227FD55D-93FE-4977-A35A-61CCFEA03B67">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Invasive golden mussels are a serious threat to water infrastructure, water systems, water bodies, and ecosystem health.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Golden mussels have been detected in much of the state, creating an emerging crisis that necessitates an emergency response.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Golden mussels are more resilient than other invasive mussel species and tolerate a wider range of water quality. Traditional control methods, such as chemical treatment, have proven less effective due to the increased tolerance. While chemical treatments are being developed, the concentrations will need to be tested.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Several treatment methodologies, including filters, ultraviolet light, and chemical coatings, are available and may be effective to control the settlement of golden mussels.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
In order to maintain the function of water supply systems and facilities, golden mussels must be removed from pipes, screens, filters, and other infrastructure. Water agencies are experiencing a significant increase
in these maintenance activities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(6)
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Permitting processes relating to controlling the spread of golden mussels are extensive and time consuming, with permit approvals subject to lengthy backlogs.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(7)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The extensive number of permits that will be required to control and mitigate the effects of golden mussels in the state must be strategically leveraged to reduce the amount of time necessary to prepare, submit, process, and approve subsequent permits.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(8)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
To combat the spread of golden mussels, it is necessary to engage in scientific research efforts to obtain information on golden mussel biology and ecology and feasibility studies for prevention, mitigation, control, and eradication methods. Much of this research qualifies for existing exemptions to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with
Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
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It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to do both of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Support public and private agencies that operate water supply systems in the prevention, mitigation, control, and eradication of golden mussels.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Streamline and expedite permitting to support the necessary rapid response to prevent serious impacts of golden mussels on water infrastructure, water supply systems, and water bodies.
</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Section 2150.6 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Fish and Game Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:Num>2150.6.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>A public or private agency that operates a water supply system shall be exempt from any permit requirement pursuant to this chapter for maintenance and operational activities to control the spread of golden mussels in the water supply system, including removing golden mussels from pipes, screens, filters, and other infrastructure.</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
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Section 2301.5 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Fish and Game Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_4391BF58-0A9A-4165-A754-A8C91351820E">
<ns0:Num>2301.5.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department’s Invasive Species Program, through the Golden Mussel Task Force convened by the department, shall develop and adopt, on or before April 1, 2027, best management practices for public and private agencies that operate water supply systems to control the spread of golden mussels until control plans can be developed and approved pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2301. The best management practices shall include common maintenance and operational activities for water infrastructure, water supply systems, and water bodies. The department shall, upon request, provide guidance to public and private agencies that operate water supply systems regarding the best management practices and shall update the best management practices as necessary.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A public or private agency that operates a water supply system undertaking maintenance and operational activities to control the spread of golden mussels in the water supply system is encouraged to comply with the best management practices adopted pursuant to paragraph (1).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department’s Invasive Species Program, through the Golden Mussel Task Force, shall develop and adopt, by April 1, 2027, guidance for scientific research conducted by or for public and private agencies that operate water supply systems to control the spread of golden mussels, including biology, ecology, and feasibility studies for golden mussel prevention, mitigation, control, and eradication methods.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The guidance shall include, but is not limited to, a process for a public or private agency that operates a
water supply system to submit to the department a streamlined project proposal for scientific research to control the spread of golden mussels, to which the department shall respond with suggested best management practices for the possession and transport of golden mussels to minimize any negative impacts of the scientific research.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A public or private agency that operates a water supply system conducting scientific research, or having scientific research conducted on its behalf, to control the spread of golden mussels in the water supply system is encouraged to comply with the guidance adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) or provided to it in response to a project proposal pursuant to paragraph (2).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Scientific research to control the spread of golden mussels conducted by or for public and private agencies that operate water supply systems, including, but not limited to, as
part of a project proposal submitted pursuant to paragraph (2), is exempt from scientific collecting permits under Section 1002 if the public or private agency participates in the Golden Mussel Task Force, as that participation may be determined by the department.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall update the spatial distribution maps of golden mussel-infested water bodies posted on its internet website no less than quarterly based on monitoring and reported detections. The maps shall distinguish between reported and confirmed detections of golden mussels and include the date of the most recent map update to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information. The purpose of the maps shall be to inform water agency decisions for water supply system projects, maintenance, and operational activities.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 4.</ns0:Num>
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Section 12824.1 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Food and Agricultural Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_A7DC78E6-5A28-4BBD-AD0A-75B60561AB9E">
<ns0:Num>12824.1.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall expedite the initial evaluation, reevaluation, or continuous evaluation of any pesticide under Section 12824 if the pesticide is a chemical treatment effective for the prevention, mitigation, control, or eradication of golden mussels in a water supply system operated by a public or private agency.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
For purposes of subdivision (a), expediting includes, but is not limited to, leveraging work and analysis completed on prior evaluations of pesticides effective for the prevention, mitigation, control, or eradication of golden mussels to expedite similar subsequent evaluations.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 5.</ns0:Num>
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Section 13371 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Water Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_6402153E-C3B9-400A-9DB6-BB3A81C7F379">
<ns0:Num>13371.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>The state board and regional boards shall expedite the processing of any national pollutant discharge elimination system permit or permit modification to the extent allowable under state and federal law if the permit or permit modification is submitted by a public or private agency that operates a water supply system in order to control the spread of golden mussels. For these purposes, expediting includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Assisting applicants with permit preparation and submittal.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Allowing applicants to coordinate and streamline submission of permits.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Leveraging work and analysis completed on
prior permits to expedite the review of similar subsequent permits.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Using any available emergency or urgency procedures with shortened timelines to process, review, and approve permits.
</html:p>
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