Bill > SB839

This bill makes several important changes to California's laws regarding oil spills and fishing. First, it modifies the Director of Fish and Wildlife's authority to close fishing waters after an oil spill, changing from a mandatory to a discretionary closure process while requiring closure if the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) determines a public health threat exists. The bill expands grant eligibility for oil spill response and environmental enhancement programs to include federally recognized tribes, allowing them to receive funding for equipment and projects. Additionally, the bill removes an existing liability exemption for oil or natural gas discharged from private pleasure boats or vessels, meaning owners would now be financially responsible for damages caused by such spills. The legislation requires the director to consult with OEHHA within 24 hours of a spill notification to assess potential public health risks, and authorizes both the director and OEHHA to seek full reimbursement for their response costs. The bill also makes it unlawful to take fish or shellfish from closed waters, creating a new potential criminal offense. Importantly, the bill does not require local governments to be reimbursed for costs associated with implementing these new provisions, as they are primarily related to creating or modifying criminal penalties.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB839