Coastal resources: oil and gas development.

Assembly Member Hart proposes substantial changes to California's coastal oil and gas development regulations through amendments that expand oversight of infrastructure projects and strengthen environmental safeguards. The legislation modifies lease approval processes, facility reactivation requirements, and oil transportation standards along the state's coast.

The bill requires local trustees and the State Lands Commission to consider additional environmental and safety factors when evaluating lease changes, including impacts on marine resources, operator compliance history, and use of unconventional drilling techniques. It mandates a 180-day review period for lease modifications and requires separate public meetings for decisions that would increase oil and gas volumes transported across state waters.

For oil transportation, the legislation eliminates alternative shipping methods and requires pipeline use with enhanced technology standards. The State Fire Marshal would gain authority to inspect interstate pipelines upon federal approval. Facilities idle for three years or more would need new coastal development permits before resuming operations, with monitoring requirements for land and seafloor movements near extraction sites.

The amendments maintain existing liability requirements for lease transfers while adding provisions for financial assurance. Operators seeking release from obligations must provide third-party cost estimates and security deposits covering potential decommissioning and restoration expenses. Local agencies retain authority to levy fees covering new administrative responsibilities, though other state-mandated costs qualify for reimbursement through established procedures.