Thursday September 3, 2026
KCRA —
A California bill that would make it easier to respond to the threat of the invasive golden mussel has made its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 2032, and it will ultimately be up to the governor whether to sign it into law. The measure, authored by Assembly Member Rhodesia Ransom, would ease the permitting process, allowing agencies that operate a water supply to respond more quickly to the spread of golden mussels.
Golden mussels pose a risk to both the environment and man-made structures. The rapidly reproducing species can attach to any surface, clogging water pipes and pumps. They can also affect the food fish eat, disrupting local ecosystems.
A bill analysis states that supporters said “current regulatory pathways were not designed for the speed required to respond to an invasive aquatic species spreading through interconnected water systems.” Permitting delays of even a few months can be catastrophic, the analysis said.