CA AB442

Exempts the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) from needing surface mining permits for emergency excavations or grading conducted for its own operations and infrastructure to repair damage from floods, disasters, or emergencies.

Authorizes MWD to prepare a master reclamation plan covering all surface mining operations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties that identifies each individual operation and satisfies reclamation requirements for each site.

Designates the State Mining and Geology Board as the lead agency for MWD surface mining operations and allows the board to inspect individual operations once every two calendar years during idle periods.

Exempts MWD from obtaining city or county approval of reclamation plans or use permits, while requiring annual reporting for each operation, an annual reporting fee, and allowing the board to collect inspection costs and administration fees.

Repeals the master reclamation plan provisions on January 1, 2026.