California is now hitting farmers up to $10k fines per day after lawmakers approved an order to increase violation fees.
California lawmakers approved significant increases in fines for water violations late Friday after ranchers defied state orders by pumping water from the drought-stricken Shasta River for eight days.
Previously, state officials imposed the maximum fine of $4,000, which amounted to about $50 per rancher, causing frustration among tribes and conservationists, per Cal Matters.
The Shasta River is crucial for salmon habitat, especially during California’s driest three-year period on record.
The new legislation, awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature, would double daily fines for minor violations and impose fines of up to $10,000 per day for those violating curtailment orders, along with an additional $2,500 for every acre-foot of water taken.
If this law had been in effect, the Siskiyou County ranchers could have faced total fines exceeding $1.2 million.
Analise Rivero from California Trout, a conservation group that supported the bill, expressed hope that increased penalties would deter future violations.
The legislation passed with little controversy, reflecting the state’s complex water rights system, which often pits agricultural interests against environmental concerns.
Assembly Bill 460 was introduced in response to a standoff with Siskiyou County ranchers.
It passed the Senate with a vote of 38 to 2 and the Assembly with 65 to 5, aiming to ensure compliance with water use regulations and prevent a “tragedy of the commons.”
California’s major agricultural organizations did not oppose the bill after amendments were made to remove provisions that would have allowed for quicker intervention by state officials to prevent environmental harm.
This change alleviated concerns from various stakeholders, including growers and urban water agencies.
The final version of the bill, according to California Farm Bureau’s senior policy advocate, Alexandra Biering, serves as a strong deterrent against illegal water use.
State officials have long criticized their limited ability to enforce water rights and monitor illegal diversions.
The bill addresses enforcement gaps highlighted during the Shasta Valley incident, where a rural water association ignored state curtailment orders to benefit their cattle, leading to a dramatic drop in river flows and jeopardizing salmon populations.
Previously, the water board had limited options for imposing fines, which were seen as insufficient by tribes and conservationists who emphasized the cultural significance of salmon to local communities.
The new legislation is seen as a necessary step toward better enforcement of water regulations.
While the legislation is celebrated, some farmers and ranchers express that the underlying curtailment rules are more pressing than the fines, arguing that they need river water for irrigation during critical growing periods.
The bill is part of a series of legislative efforts aimed at reforming California’s water priority system, with ongoing discussions about the need for enhanced enforcement of water rights.
Water advocates hope that the collaboration between various stakeholders can lead to further improvements in managing California’s water resources.
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Other Economy News Today
Are you wondering where layoffs are now affecting the most people? Job cuts in the US have risen drastically this year.
However, there are some states where people have been affected more than others.
Franknez.com provides Americans with the latest layoff news so you can stay up-to-date on which businesses are letting go of their workforce in your state.
Can a layoff be wrongful termination?
In some cases, it can be.
For example, there are laws put in place that require an employer to notify employees in advance of upcoming job cuts and workforce reductions.
Under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, an employer with more than 100 full-time workers must provide a 60-day notice before laying off 50 or more people at a single site.
In many cases, someone might experience a ‘layoff for a lack of work’, meaning company trends and demands have shifted.
Layoff and severance packages go hand in hand, depending on the company.
A severance package is compensation and benefits offered to an employee when their employment is terminated, typically in a layoff situation.
Severance packages often include:
- A lump sum payment, typically based on the employee’s tenure and salary
Continuation of health insurance coverage for a period of time. - Outplacement services to help the employee find a new job.
- The purpose of a severance package is to provide financial and transitional support to the laid-off employee.
- The specifics of a severance package can vary greatly depending on the company, the employee’s position, and local labor laws.
Which State Has The Most Layoffs?
The state of California has historically had the most layoffs in United States, and is usually followed by Texas, per WarnTracker.
For example, in 2024 alone, California has tracked at least 20,730 WARN layoffs across a total of 513 companies.
Which businesses are currently laying off in the Golden State?
- Penumbra, Inc. 71 job cuts by 11/1.
- V2X dba Vertex Aerospace, LLC. 46 job cuts by 10/31.
- Cuberg, Inc. 196 job cuts by 10/19.
- Five9, Inc. 33 job cuts on 8/20.
- ITC Federal. 31 job cuts by 10/18.
- Canoo. 185 job cuts by 10/15.
- GRAIL, Inc. 179 job cuts by 10/14.
- Northrop Grumman. 430 job cuts by 10/14.
- Pitney Bowes Inc. 112 job cuts by 10/8.
- Save Mart Supermarkets LLC dba Roseville Distribution Center. 273 job cuts by 10/12.
- And the list goes on…
You can search for layoffs in your state here, or follow our layoff news for updates.
Also Read: Cisco Now Profits Billions And Makes Thousands of Unexpected Layoffs
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