Bill > AB1448

This bill modifies regulations surrounding oil and gas development in California's coastal zones, introducing several key changes. The legislation would require the State Lands Commission or local trustees to consider additional factors when approving lease renewals, extensions, amendments, or assignments for oil and gas infrastructure, including potential impacts on marine environments, public trust resources, and human health and safety. The bill expands the definition of "expanded oil extraction" to include reactivating facilities that have been idle for more than five years or using unconventional extraction technologies like hydraulic fracturing. It mandates that onshore transportation of oil must use the best available technology and removes previous provisions allowing alternative transportation methods. The bill also requires obtaining a new coastal development permit for repairing or reactivating oil and gas facilities that have been inactive for five years or more. Additionally, the legislation specifies that lease assignments will be subject to the same review process as other lease modifications, and imposes new considerations for approving such assignments, such as evaluating the proposed assignee's experience, financial capabilities, and compliance history. While the bill imposes new requirements on local governments, it provides that no reimbursement will be necessary if local agencies can cover the costs through existing fee structures.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1448