Calif. Overhauls 'Pump-As-You-Please' Groundwater Rules Amid Drought

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The worst drought in a generation has pushed California lawmakers to overhaul the state's longstanding "pump-as-you-please" groundwater policy under a package of bills lawmakers sent Friday to Gov. Jerry Brown.

The state would begin regulating its groundwater supply for the first time under the legislative package by Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, D-Sacramento, and Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills. It would require some local governments to develop groundwater-management plans and allows the state to intervene if necessary.

The state Assembly voted 44-27 to send the bill, AB1739, to Brown, whose administration was involved in shaping the legislation. Two companion bills, SB 1168 and SB1319, were passed on 24-10 votes in the Senate."

Fenit Nirappil reports for the Associated Press August 29, 2014.