BAKERSFIELD, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) held a press conference alongside Bakersfield Mayor Karen K. Goh, Kern County Supervisor Jeff Flores, River Partners Planning Director Bill Eisenstein, and numerous community partners to announce legislation supporting floodplain restoration, enhanced flood safety, and improved groundwater recharge in the Kern, Kings and Tulare counties. The bill, Senate Bill 556, represents a rare example of consensus in California water policy as the farmers, environmentalists, local communities and irrigation districts are supportive the bill, which seeks Proposition 4 funding, the Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 make the improvements.

“This bill isn’t just about water. It’s about fairness, foresight, and protecting communities from the threat of flooding while also restoring floodplains to naturally recharge our groundwater aquifers,” said Senator Melissa Hurtado. “When Tulare Lake reappeared in 2023, we saw families in Alpaugh and Allensworth facing rising waters with nowhere for that water to go. This bill helps fix that. It slows floodwater, recharges aquifers, and protects communities before the next disaster strikes. I’ve already delivered over $400 million in water investments for our region. This bill is the next step—and we need it now.”

“Thank you to Senator Hurtado for bringing stakeholders together on a common-sense approach that benefits our communities and Central Valley economy,” said Bakersfield Mayor Karen K. Goh. “We need water management policies, like SB 556, to recharge groundwater aquifers and protect homes and businesses from flooding.”

“Senate Bill 556 is a critical step to improving groundwater recharge for our community while also addressing overdue flood safety for the future,” said Kern County Supervisor Jeff Flores during his appearance in support of the bill.

“I stand before you not only as Mayor of the city of McFarland but as a representative of a small, resilient community that has endured decades of hardship due to flooding from Poso Creek. For 40-plus years, we've battled with the devastating impacts of floods that have not only disrupted our daily lives but have also affected our low income, undeserved community. It's a problem that, while originating outside our city limits, has been felt deeply with our streets, schools, and, importantly, our homes,” said McFarland Mayor Saul Ayon. “With the introduction of Senate Bill 556, the Floodplain Restoration Bill, Senator Melissa Hurtado, and staff have shown exceptional leadership and commitment to our region. This bill proposes to allocate 20 million toward Poso Creek flood mitigation, targeting the source of the flooding that has affected McFarland and our surrounding communities for far too long.”

“The Tulare Basin can be an important model for the rest of state, demonstrating how our communities can revitalize land and water for the future even as water scarcity and flood risk worsen each year,” said River Partners President Julie Rentner. “Senate Bill 556 expands a proven solution: restoring floodplains to reduce exposure to flood disasters for vulnerable communities, recharge groundwater for farms and households, and strengthen local communities and economies. This is a rare win-win in California water, uniting farmers, conservationists, and state leaders around a cost-effective, common-sense approach that scales to meet our growing climate risks. The time to act is now—and Senate Bill 556 leads the way in building a brighter future for the Valley and beyond.”

Senator Melissa Hurtado is Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and currently represents the 16th Senate District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties. 

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