Bill > AB1448

This bill strengthens protections for California's coastal and marine environments by prohibiting the State Lands Commission from issuing new oil and gas extraction leases in designated California marine protected areas or national marine sanctuaries, which are federally or state-designated zones meant to protect fragile marine life and ecosystems. Additionally, the legislation bans state tideland leases and related infrastructure from being used to support future oil and gas operations tied to Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, referring to federal submerged lands off the Pacific coast. When evaluating lease changes or transfers, the bill requires the commission or local authorities—known as local trustees that manage granted public trust lands—to follow stricter public notification timelines and consider environmental risks, such as past oil spills, safety records, financial assurances, and decommissioning costs. Finally, the measure ensures that original leaseholders remain financially responsible for safely plugging abandoned wells and cleaning up contamination unless the state formally approves a liability waiver backed by substantial financial security.