About the Case
In April 2024, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) placed the Tulare Lake Subbasin (TLSB) on probation, effective April 16, 2024, citing deficiencies in local Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) under SGMA. That action required growers within the TLSB to meter and report groundwater pumping, to register wells, and to pay extraction fees as set by SWRCB’s published fee schedule. On May 15, 2024, the Kings County Farm Bureau filed a writ of mandate in Kings County Superior Court challenging the SWRCB’s probationary designation and asserting the at the board exceeded its authority under SGMA.
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May 2024Writ Filed in Kings County Superior Court
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Jul 2024Temporary Restraining Order Issued
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Sep 2024Preliminary Injunction Granted
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Jun 2025Appeal Filed and Now Pending in Fifth District
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Oct 2025Oral Arguments, Fifth District, Appellate Court Opinion Issued
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Dec 2025Petition Filed with California Supreme Court
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Jan 2026Trial Court Status Hearing
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Mar 2026Court Hearing after Remittitur – Status Conference
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Apr 2026Motion Hearing – Preliminary Injunction
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Jun 2026Evidentiary Hearing – Preliminary Injunction
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Jul 2026Conference – Re: Merits Hearing
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Oct 2026Court Hearing
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Donors & Supporters
- Shane Bickner
- Zach Bickner
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- Michael Miya
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- City of Hanford
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- Tulare County Farm Bureau
- Yuba-Sutter County Farm Bureau