Blog

CAA Members,

The California Legislature convened its two-year session on January 6. Since then, the Assembly has introduced approximately 1,500 bills, while the Senate has introduced around 850. On average, each bill is amended three times, resulting in more than 7,000 actions that can significantly alter the original intent and potential impact of legislation. By mid-July, the volume of legislative changes reached roughly 1,000 per month, 2,500 per week, and up to 500 per day. Concurrently, a separate and complex state budget process also requires close monitoring.

The California Aquaculture Association (CAA) carefully reviews each measure to evaluate potential benefits or negative implications for its members. We track bills that could directly or indirectly affect aquaculture and related sectors. Priority issues include water supply and use, farm labor, minimum wage, coastal access for shellfish and marine fish farming, seaweed cultivation (both onshore and offshore), stocking of warm and cold-water species, invasive species management, feed supply and inspections, greenhouse gas regulations, transportation logistics, live fish sales, shellfish production, offshore wind development and its impact on coastal aquaculture infrastructure, and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

CAA also engages with a range of state regulatory bodies, including the California Fish and Game Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Lands Commission, California Coastal Commission, and the California Resources Agency. We serve as the aquaculture representative to the California Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP) and maintain a board seat with the National Aquaculture Association.

Additionally, we monitor executive actions from the Governor’s Office, including the “30×30” initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of California’s lands, waters, and ocean areas from commercial activity by 2030.

July 18 marked the beginning of the 30-day summer recess. Upon return, lawmakers face a flurry of activity—amendments, negotiations, and occasionally behind-the-scenes maneuvering—to advance priority legislation.

The legislative session concludes on September 12, by which point all bills must be passed, amended, delayed, or shelved. The Governor then has until October 12 to either sign or veto the measures that reach his desk.

Click here to view the current bills monitored by CAA

If you have any questions or comments about any of these bills, please contact the CAA office at caaquaculture@gmail.com.