Nitrogen Regulation Bill Advances to Appropriations
Published Friday, April 24, 2026
Assembly Bill 2447 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda, now titled the Nitrogen Pollution Reduction Act, would require the California State Water Resources Control Board and regional water quality control boards to establish enforceable limits on nitrogen discharges from agricultural land by 2028, with compliance required by 2030. The bill also directs the state water board to require field-level reporting of nitrogen use and losses and to make that data publicly available.
The measure would significantly alter existing regulatory frameworks, including those developed under the Eastern San Joaquin Order and the CV-SALTS, or Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability, Nitrate Control Program. Amendments on April 6 renamed the bill and removed provisions establishing a Safe Fertilizer Task Force.
On April 14, AB 2447 passed the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on a 5-2 vote. The bill was scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Agriculture Committee but was pulled from the agenda and will instead be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Staff contact: Alex Biering, abiering@cfbf.com.
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