Assemblymember Kalra’s Releases Statement in Response to Veto of AB 2218

SACRAMENTO - Assembly Bill (AB) 2218, authored by Assemblymember Kalra (D-San José), has been vetoed by Governor Newsom. The bill would have established a state policy of recognizing and addressing historic water-related inequities perpetuated by state-sanctioned actions against California Native American Tribes. Assemblymember Kalra released the following statement:

"California has made a commitment to Tribes to not only recognize, but effectively and respectfully address the harms that have been committed against them. The Governor's veto is a missed opportunity to sustain that commitment by rectifying the historic water inequities that continue to impact Tribes to this day.

"I am grateful to the Karuk Tribe and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians for their collaboration, insight, and support as we worked together to create a meaningful solution to a long-standing injustice. Despite opposition from special interests, we balanced the needs of all stakeholders, including the state agencies that would have been responsible for implementing the bill. I am deeply disappointed that opposition spread disingenuous misinformation that the Governor bought into about the bill's scope and impact resulting in the heartbreaking veto."

AB 2218 is sponsored by the Karuk Tribe and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, and supported by a broad coalition of tribal and environmental justice organizations. The bill is coauthored by Assemblymember Rogers (D-Santa Rosa) and Senator McGuire (D-Healdsburg).

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Assemblymember Ash Kalra represents California's 25th Assembly District, which encompasses the majority of San José, including downtown and open space areas in southeast Santa Clara County. He was first elected in 2016, becoming the first Indian American to serve in the California Legislature in state history, and was re-elected to his fifth term in 2024. Assemblymember Kalra is the Chair of the Committee on Judiciary and also serves as a member on the Housing & Community Development, Labor & Employment, Natural Resources, and Utilities & Energy committees.