Federal Legislation Impacting Lodi and San Joaquin County

Legislature

Sep 14

Executive Summary

This report examines federal legislation in the 119th Congress (2025-2026) with potential impacts on Lodi and San Joaquin County. The research identified six key pieces of legislation, analyzed voting records of California's congressional delegation, and assessed which representatives have supported regional interests.

Bills With Direct Impact on Lodi and San Joaquin County

S.1413 - San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act Additional Funding

Sponsors: Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Senator John Hoeven (R-ND)

Current Status: Introduced April 10, 2025; referred to Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Bill Overview: This bipartisan legislation would significantly increase funding for the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act, raising authorized appropriations from $250 million to $750 million for implementation and from $50 million to $75 million for Friant Division improvements.

Potential Impact on Lodi/San Joaquin County: HIGHLY POSITIVE – The San Joaquin River directly affects water supplies and environmental conditions in the region. The tripled funding would accelerate restoration efforts, potentially improving water quality and availability while supporting ecosystem recovery that benefits the entire watershed.

California Delegation Votes: Senator Padilla sponsored the bill. Senator Schiff's position likely supportive given environmental priorities. No House vote yet as bill remains in committee.

H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21)

Sponsor: Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX)

Current Status: Signed into law July 4, 2025

Bill Overview: This massive reconciliation package includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and spending provisions. Key components include permanent extension of 2017 tax cuts, $1 billion for water infrastructure through the Bureau of Reclamation, but also $1.2 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs.

Potential Impact on Lodi/San Joaquin County: MIXED
Positive: $1 billion for Western water infrastructure improvements, including potential upgrades to Central Valley water systems and dam modernization
Negative: Medicaid cuts affecting an estimated 64% of David Valadao's 22nd District constituents, which includes parts of San Joaquin County

California Delegation Votes:
Opposed (NAY): Josh Harder (D-9th), Adam Gray (D-13th), Jim Costa (D-21st), and all other California Democrats
Supported (AYE): David Valadao (R-22nd), Vince Fong (R-20th), Tom McClintock (R-5th), and all other California Republicans except Brian Fitzpatrick
Senate Vote (Roll Call 372): Both California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff voted NAY

H.R.1267 - Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act

Sponsors: Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) and Representative Celeste Maloy (R-UT)

Current Status: Introduced February 12, 2025; referred to House committees

Bill Overview: This bipartisan legislation would exempt water and wastewater systems from CERCLA (Superfund) liability for PFAS contamination as passive receivers, ensuring polluters rather than ratepayers bear cleanup costs.

Potential Impact on Lodi/San Joaquin County: POSITIVE – Protects local water utilities from expensive PFAS cleanup litigation and costs that would otherwise be passed to ratepayers. Given California's extensive PFAS contamination issues, this provides crucial protection for Lodi's water system.

California Delegation Votes: No votes yet as bill remains in committee.

State Legislation With Federal Implications

SB 72 - California Water for All

Primary Author: Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced)

Current Status: State legislation moving through California Legislature

Bill Overview: Modernizes the California Water Plan to establish a 9 million acre-feet per year water supply increase target by 2040, requiring state agencies to develop actionable plans to meet targets.

Potential Impact on Lodi/San Joaquin County: POSITIVE – Addresses the projected 4.6 to 9 million acre-feet annual water shortfall by 2050. The comprehensive planning approach benefits the entire Central Valley agricultural region.

SB 31 - Recycled Water Expansion

Author: Senator Jerry McNerney (D-District 5)

Current Status: Passed California Senate 37-0, moved to Assembly

Bill Overview: Designed to drought-proof California by expanding recycled water use for irrigation and other non-potable purposes, reducing reliance on drinking water supplies.

Potential Impact on Lodi/San Joaquin County: POSITIVE – Enhances water supply reliability for agricultural and municipal uses. Supports Governor Newsom's goal of recycling 1.8 million acre-feet per year by 2040.

Proposition 50 - Congressional Redistricting Response

Origin: California Legislature in response to Texas redistricting

Current Status: November 4, 2025 special election ballot

Bill Overview: Would allow California to use legislature-drawn congressional maps for 2026-2030 elections instead of the independent redistricting commission maps.

Potential Impact on Lodi/San Joaquin County: NEGATIVE – Current redistricting proposal splits Lodi into three separate congressional districts (7th, 8th, and 9th), significantly diluting the city's federal representation and lobbying power.

California Congressional Delegation Voting Analysis

Representatives Supporting San Joaquin County Interests

Josh Harder (D-9th District): Consistent opposition to harmful cuts, water advocacy (NAY on H.R.1, pro-water infrastructure)
Adam Gray (D-13th District): Valley-focused, bipartisanship, NAY on H.R.1
Jerry McNerney (State Senate District 5): Authored water recycling bill, regional focus
Alex Padilla (Senator): Sponsored river restoration funding, NAY on H.R.1
Adam Schiff (Senator): Opposition to harmful federal Medicaid cuts
Jim Costa (D-21st District): Central Valley farm and water advocacy (NAY on H.R.1)

Representatives Opposing San Joaquin County Interests

David Valadao (R-22nd District): Supported H.R.1 and federal funding cuts
Vince Fong (R-20th District): Supported H.R.1
Tom McClintock (R-5th District): Supported H.R.1 and broad tax cuts

Tables and Visual Data Tally

Key Bills Impacting San Joaquin County

Bill	Status	Sponsors/Co-Sponsors	Potential Impact on Lodi/San Joaquin County
S.1413 - San Joaquin River Restoration Funding	Introduced - Senate Committee	Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND)	POSITIVE - Increases San Joaquin River restoration funding from $500M to $1.5B total
HR 1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act	Became Law (Public Law 119-21)	Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX)	MIXED - $1B water infrastructure funding BUT cuts to Medicaid affecting 64% of constituents
SB 72 - California Water for All (State)	State Legislature - Pending	Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced)	POSITIVE - Modernizes water planning, sets 9M acre-feet supply target by 2040
HR 1267 - Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act	Introduced - House Committee	Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT)	POSITIVE - Protects water systems from PFAS cleanup liability costs
SB 31 - Recycled Water Expansion (State)	Senate Passed 37-0	Sen. Jerry McNerney (D-SD5)	POSITIVE - Expands recycled water use, reduces drinking water demand
Proposition 50 - Congressional Redistricting (State)	November 2025 Ballot	CA Legislature	NEGATIVE - Splits Lodi into 3 congressional districts, dilutes representation

California Representatives Voting Records

Representative	HR 1 Vote	District Coverage	Pro-San Joaquin County Score
Josh Harder (D-9th)	NAY (Against)	Much of San Joaquin County	+1 (Opposed harmful cuts)
Adam Gray (D-13th)	NAY (Against)	Parts of San Joaquin County	+1 (Opposed harmful cuts)
Jerry McNerney (State Senate D-5)	N/A (State Senate)	All of San Joaquin County	+1 (Water recycling bill)
Alex Padilla (Senator)	NAY (Against)	Statewide	+1 (Water funding, opposed cuts)
Adam Schiff (Senator)	NAY (Against)	Statewide	+1 (Water funding, opposed cuts)
David Valadao (R-22nd)	AYE (For)	Parts of San Joaquin County	-1 (Supported harmful cuts)
Vince Fong (R-20th)	AYE (For)	Parts of San Joaquin County	-1 (Supported harmful cuts)
Tom McClintock (R-5th)	AYE (For)	Northern CA	-1 (Supported harmful cuts)
Jim Costa (D-21st)	NAY (Against)	Central Valley	+1 (Opposed harmful cuts)

Voting Tally Summary

Bill/Issue	Pro-County Votes	Anti-County Votes
HR 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill)	Harder, Gray, Costa, Padilla, Schiff (5)	Valadao, Fong, McClintock (3)
S.1413 (San Joaquin River Restoration)	Padilla (sponsor), likely Schiff support	Unknown opposition
SB 31 (Recycled Water)	McNerney (author)	None identified
Overall San Joaquin County Interest Score	Harder: +1, Gray: +1, McNerney: +1, Padilla: +1, Schiff: +1	Valadao: -1, Fong: -1, McClintock: -1

Key Findings and Recommendations

Water Infrastructure: The $1 billion in H.R.1 for Bureau of Reclamation projects represents the largest federal water investment opportunity, despite the bill's negative social impacts.
Bipartisan Opportunities: S.1413 and H.R.1267 both show bipartisan support for water-related legislation affecting the region.
Political Representation: Democratic representatives consistently voted in ways that protect San Joaquin County residents from harmful cuts, while Republican representatives prioritized tax policy over constituent services.
Future Challenges: Proposition 50's redistricting threatens to fragment Lodi's political influence across three congressional districts, potentially weakening future federal advocacy.

References

San Joaquin CountyUS Congress

Don Bradford