Tribal Rights Consent Bills Advance to Governor's Desk
Published Friday, September 4, 2026
Assembly Bill 1881 by Assemblymember James Ramos, D-San Bernadino, and Assembly Bill 2218 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, D-San Jose, two bills that would establish new requirements for enhanced tribal consultation and tribal consent related to state agency decision-making, passed out of the Legislature and await action by Gov. Newsom.
Both bills were opposed by a broad coalition of water users and industry groups, including California Farm Bureau, for their potential to trigger widespread legal action by tribes and delay decisions on matters ranging from water right permit approval, grant selection and permit approval projects such as Sites Reservoir. Both bills faced tepid opposition in committee and on the floors all year.
AB 1881 passed the Senate floor with 29 "yes" votes, with one "no" vote and 10 abstentions, and AB 2218 passed the Senate floor with 28 "yes" votes (and 12 abstentions). Farm Bureau and the opposition coalition have met with Newsom Administration officials to express concerns and will be submitting requests for a vetoes on both bills.
Staff contact: Alex Biering, abiering@cfbf.com.
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