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AB 2326

Noxious weed management: Broomrape Program: extension.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Extends and reorganizes California’s noxious weed program, increasing local planning and funding flexibility while extending the Broomrape Program through July 1, 2030.

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · AB 2326

Summary of AB 2326 (2025-2026) – Noxious weed management: Broomrape Program: extension

Purpose and intent

AB 2326 extends and reorganizes the state's framework for noxious weed management, with a particular focus on the Broomrape Program and the Noxious Weed Management Account. The bill aims to (1) clarify and adjust funding allocations for weed management, research, and administrative activities; (2) extend the operation of the Broomrape Program by two years (through July 1, 2030); and (3) codify changes to planning and implementation requirements for weed management areas to improve coordination and effectiveness.

Key provisions and changes

  • Noxious Weed Management Account funding (Section 7271)

    • 60% of account funds are limited to be available only to eligible weed management areas or county agricultural commissioners for control and abatement of noxious and invasive weeds, under an integrated weed management plan.
    • 20% of funds go to research and related activities and to qualified applicants, with a revised definition of “qualified applicant.” Eligible recipients include nonprofits, publicly funded educational institutions, state/local agencies, California Native American tribes, and entities chosen by a weed management area to serve as its fiscal agent (e.g., county agricultural commissioners or resource conservation districts).
    • 20% of funds go to the department for internal administration, development of control strategies, biological control work, workshops, and hiring a noxious weed coordinator and mapping specialist.

  • Weed management areas and integrated weed management plans (Sections 7272)

    • A weed management area is a local coalition formed within a county or geographic area to coordinate weed control, with a requirement that a geographic area may be part of only one weed management area.
    • Each weed management area must develop an integrated weed management plan submitted to the department for review, approval, and funding.
    • Updated eligible cost caps: not more than 25% of funds distributed to a weed management area may be used for meeting, travel, administration, and coordination costs (in contrast to the prior 10% cap).
    • Goals of integrated plans include:
    • Increase profitability/value of cropland and rangeland
    • Decrease roadside/park/waterway maintenance costs
    • Reduce fire hazards and control costs
    • Protect biodiversity
    • Maintain recreational and aesthetic value
    • Increase water supply and flow
    • Approved fund uses include:
    • Operating county agricultural commissioner programs for weed control along roads and public properties
    • Cost-sharing for control on city streets and public areas
    • Dissemination of biological control agents
    • Abatement of infestations in critical areas
    • Consideration of using California Conservation Corps and local conservation corps to implement plans
    • Encouraged consideration of cost-sharing in plans

  • Repeal of prior program element (Section 7272.5)

    • Repeals the former Section 7272.5, which previously required county agricultural commissioners to submit an integrated weed management plan with goals and a funding basis tied to infestation levels across counties and limited administrative costs to 10%.

  • Adopt-A-Riverway Fund (Section 7276)

    • Maintains the Adopt-A-Riverway Fund as a source for grants to weed management areas and to nonprofit organizations for integrated weed management along riverways and riparian habitats.
    • 15% of Adopt-A-Riverway Fund total moneys may be used for purposes including carrying out the article, developing strategies, seeking biological controls, and workshops.
    • Donor-related provisions regarding courtesy signs remain, with thresholds for donations.
    • Startup costs for the program must be reimbursed to the General Fund before funds are expended.

  • Broomrape Program extension (Sections 7440; related provisions)

    • Extends the operation of the Broomrape Program through July 1, 2030 (an additional two years beyond current authorization).
    • Extends authority to expend moneys in the continuously appropriated Broomrape Management Account.
    • Extends the Broomrape Board’s advisory duties and potential actions, including research, surveying, detection, and treatment, and other program activities.
    • The bill is structured to create a state-mandated local program by extending crime-related provisions; however, it also notes no reimbursement is required for the mandated costs under Section 6 of Article XIII B.

  • Timing and sunset (Section 7440)

    • The chapter containing these provisions becomes inoperative on July 1, 2030, with repeal on January 1, 2031, unless further action is taken.

Affected entities and potential impacts

  • Local weed management areas and county agricultural commissioners
    • More formalized and potentially increased access to funding for integrated weed management planning and implementation.
    • Higher flexibility in using funds (up to 25% for admin/travel/meeting costs) to support local coordination.
  • Qualified applicants for research funding
    • Expanded and clarified eligibility to include nonprofits, educational institutions, state/local agencies, tribes, and fiscal agents chosen by weed management areas.
  • Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
    • Responsible for administering grants, approving integrated weed management plans, and managing the Noxious Weed Management Account and Adopt-A-Riverway Fund programs.
  • Broomrape Program and Broomrape Board
    • Extended duration; continued oversight and potential funding for broomrape research, detection, and management.
  • Public and private landowners, road authorities, and riparian stakeholders
    • Potentially enhanced support for weed control along roadsides, waterways, and public lands, plus expanded use of biological control agents.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill passed through committees with amendments and is not yet enacted into law; it includes an explicit extension timetable (Broomrape Program until July 1, 2030) and a sunset provision for the Noxious Weed Management framework (original sunset inoperative date remains, unless otherwise amended in future legislation).
  • Fiscal and appropriation provisions are embedded in the bill, indicating ongoing funding authorizations and the creation/maintenance of trust funds (Noxious Weed Management Account and Adopt-A-Riverway Fund).

Overall, AB 2326 modernizes funding, planning, and administration of California’s noxious weed management, with a reinforced focus on local weed management areas, expanded eligibility for research funding, and a two-year extension of broomrape-related activities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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