Bill > SB542

This bill introduces new safety requirements for oil pipelines that have been inactive for five or more years and modifies regulations around oil spill prevention and financial responsibility. Specifically, the bill requires that any existing oil pipeline not used for five or more years must undergo a rigorous hydrostatic testing program before being restarted, with tests performed in segments to ensure every elevation point is checked. The bill also amends regulations for obtaining certificates of financial responsibility for vessels and facilities that handle oil, mandating a public notice and comment process for oil pipelines subject to testing. Additionally, the bill requires the administrator of oil spill response to review and revise formulas for calculating potential worst-case oil spills and necessary financial assurances at least every 10 years, starting in January 2026, to ensure these calculations reflect the most current available information. The legislation aims to reduce the risk of oil spills by implementing more stringent safety checks and financial preparedness requirements, particularly for long-idle oil infrastructure. No additional state reimbursement will be required for implementing these new provisions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB542