As the California Legislature heads into the final stretch of its 2025 session, farm groups are watching closely as lawmakers weigh a series of bills that could reshape water policy, land use, labor protections, food standards and climate programs. The measures range from new rules on ultraprocessed foods in schools to adjustments in groundwater law, alongside a high-stakes reauthorization of California’s cap-and-invest program.
While agriculture leaders say they have scored key amendments on several proposals, they are still fighting provisions they believe would raise costs or limit flexibility. The California Farm Bureau, the Western Growers Association and other organizations are lobbying heavily in the Capitol as negotiations enter the compressed endgame.
Water, land and composting measures
One of the most closely watched bills is Senate Bill 601 by Senator Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, which would establish a new definition of “waters of the state” after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision. Farm groups warn the bill could extend permitting to farm ditches and ephemeral streams. Chris Reardon, vice president of policy advocacy at the California Farm Bureau, called it “an unnecessary bill” given that California already has “the most comprehensive water protections anywhere.” He was relieved to see Allen remove a private right of action in the bill after pushback. Reardon said in an interview that he will keep monitoring SB 601.
Taylor Triffo, a lobbyist at Kahn, Soares & Conway representing several agriculture associations, pointed out that the State Water Resources Control Board is wrapping up an analysis that will identify if a problem exists in this area and whether such additional protections are necessary. Triffo worried SB 601 anticipates an answer to that question and called it too early for the legislation.
Assembly Bill 1413 by Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-San Mateo, would require groundwater adjudications to remain consistent with pumping limits outlined in plans for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Matthew Allen, vice president of state government affairs at Western Growers, said his group has been “very vocal” in working on amendments.
“We’re trying to find a happy landing spot for that bill, but a lot of time and effort going into it,” he said.
The farm bureau also worries the measure could put growers at a disadvantage in court.
Asm. Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland (Wicks office photo)Another land use fight is over AB 1156 by Asm. Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, which would expand the state’s solar-use easement program to cover farmland with limited water access. The farm bureau considers it a top priority and has been in ongoing discussions with legislators. Reardon warned of risks to farmland conservation. Western Growers supports the bill only if amended, with Matthew Allen sharing concerns the bill would add too many barriers for the program to “be utilized to the extent that everybody would hope it would be utilized for.”
Other water-related debates include AB 732 by Asm. Alexandra Macedo, R-Tulare, which would empower county ag commissioners to fine landowners for abandoned orchards that attract pests. Triffo said the serious rodent and invasive weed problems lately have propelled farm groups to sponsor the bill.
“It adds an arrow in a commissioner’s quiver to really get after people who are intentionally bad actors,” she explained.
In dealing with agricultural waste from tree and vineyard removals, SB 279 by Sen. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, would create more flexibility for on-farm composting. Triffo said the measure reflects grower needs.
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“If we can’t burn in the [San Joaquin Valley] and there’s a state directive [in the California Air Resources Board’s AB 32 Climate Scoping Plan] to do more on-site composting, let’s make sure we’re not trucking the waste halfway across the state,” she said.
Worker, food and surveillance debates
Labor and workplace policy remain another flashpoint. AB 1336 by Asm. Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, would create a presumption that farmworker heat-related injuries are job-related if employers violate Cal/OSHA rules. Matthew Allen, describing it as virtually identical to last year’s vetoed bill, said Western Growers remains firmly opposed.
“The way the bill operates, it doesn't require really any evidence or proof the employer did something incorrectly. It just needs to be a claim filed,” he argued. “That's definitely very problematic.”
The California Department of Finance has also flagged fiscal risks, signaling the administration’s opposition to the bill. Labor groups insist the measure is necessary to protect workers in increasingly extreme summer heat.
Farm groups are also raising alarms over AB 1331 by Asm. Sade Elhawary, D-South Los Angeles, which restricts the use of workplace surveillance tools. Allen described it as a brand new topic area that will require long-term engagement.
“We're continuing to work on that to find out what makes sense when it comes to the different types of workplaces,” he said.
Employers argue broad definitions could complicate theft prevention and worker safety.
Meanwhile, the food-policy spotlight has been on AB 1264 by Asm. Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, which tasks state scientists with defining “particularly harmful” ultraprocessed foods and phasing them out of school meals by 2032. The bill has triggered intense debate over definitions and trade impacts.
Western Growers has moved to neutral after securing changes, but Allen emphasized the need for caution.
“It’s important that fresh products not be inadvertently added to any kind of ultraprocessed food list,” he said.
Triffo echoed those concerns, pointing to dairy and nut products that could be swept in.
“It’s not the carrot, it’s the Cheeto — that’s we’re trying to pursue,” she said, stressing the complexity of setting definitions without creating stigmas or hurting trade partnerships.
A bill drawing wide support is AB 1042 by Asm. Rhodesia Ransom, D-Tracy, which would establish a Managed Honeybee Health Program at the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Triffo called it novel, explaining that while the state funds pollinator-friendly hedgerows and cover crops, “we’ve never had a beekeeper-specific incentive program.” The farm bureau and commodity groups are backing the measure, though appropriations challenges remain.
Asm. Rhodesia Ransom, D-Tracy (Ransom office photo)Cap-and-invest dominates the agenda
Beyond individual bills, farm groups say the outcome of the cap-and-trade reauthorization will have the most far-reaching impact.
Agriculture groups support a straightforward extension of the program but are pressing for more certainty around funding for agricultural incentives, particularly the FARMER program.
“We had really solid years of getting a lot of funding for that,” said Allen. “Now we're barely able to get any money for a program that has been documented to be truly successful and a big win for the environment and for local areas.”
Adding to that, Triffo wants to ensure revenues are directed to hard-to-decarbonize sectors like agriculture. With federal waivers for mobile-source emissions still uncertain, she said incentive dollars are essential for programs like FARMER and the Food Production Investment Program.
“Without that, I don't know how you improve climate impacts and air quality standards in places like the Central Valley,” she explained.
The industry has pushed for $600 million to support incentive grants. Reardon is encouraged that bipartisan support for reauthorization appears stronger than in the past.
“There seems to be general consensus on both sides,” he said. “I don’t think it’s always been that way.”
Still, farm leaders warned that budget deficits, redistricting debates, an appropriations gauntlet and other debates could complicate the final weeks of session.
“We don’t know what this is all going to look like,” Reardon admitted.
Triffo agreed, saying that “it’s going to be a very busy end of session if they’re able to do all of these things at once. It's going to be a lift, just in process alone.”
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