(1)Existing law creates the California Coastal Sanctuary and provides that it includes all state waters subject to tidal influence, except as provided. Existing law authorizes the State Lands Commission to enter into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tidelands and submerged lands in the California Coastal Sanctuary if the commission determines both that oil and gas deposits in the California Coastal Sanctuary are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and that the lease is in the best interest of the state.

This bill would prohibit the commission from entering into leases for the extraction of oil or gas, as described above, in areas designated as California marine protected areas or national marine sanctuaries, as provided.

(2)Existing law prohibits the commission or a local trustee, as defined, of granted public trust lands from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, except as provided. Existing law requires the commission or a local trustee when approving or disapproving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to follow a specified process.

This bill would additionally prohibit leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters from being used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, except as provided. The bill would additionally require the commission or the local trustee, in considering approval or disapproval, to consider additional factors, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

(1)Existing law creates the California Coastal Sanctuary and provides that it includes all state waters subject to tidal influence, except as provided. Existing law authorizes the State Lands Commission to enter into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tidelands and submerged lands in the California Coastal Sanctuary if the commission determines both that oil and gas deposits in the California Coastal Sanctuary are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and that the lease is in the best interest of the state.

This bill would prohibit the commission from entering into leases for the extraction of oil or gas, as described above, in areas designated as California marine protected areas or national marine sanctuaries, as provided.

(2)Existing law prohibits the commission or a local trustee, as defined, of granted public trust lands from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, except as provided. Existing law requires the commission or a local trustee when approving or disapproving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to follow a specified process.

This bill would additionally prohibit leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters from being used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, except as provided. The bill would additionally require the commission or the local trustee, in considering approval or disapproval, to consider additional factors, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

(1)Existing law creates the California Coastal Sanctuary and provides that it includes all state waters subject to tidal influence, except as provided. Existing law authorizes the State Lands Commission to enter into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tidelands and submerged lands in the California Coastal Sanctuary if the commission determines both that oil and gas deposits in the California Coastal Sanctuary are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and that the lease is in the best interest of the state.

This bill would repeal that authorization. The bill would also make conforming changes. prohibit the commission from entering into leases for the extraction of oil or gas, as described above, in areas designated as California marine protected areas or national marine sanctuaries, as provided.

(2)Existing law prohibits the commission or a local trustee, as defined, of granted public trust lands from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, except as provided. Existing law requires the commission or a local trustee when approving or disapproving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to follow a specified process.

This bill would additionally prohibit leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters from being used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, except as provided. The bill would specify that the above-described requirement regarding approval or disapproval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification also applies to a lease assignment. The bill would additionally require the commission or the local trustee, in considering approval or disapproval, to consider additional factors, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

(2)Existing law prohibits the State Lands Commission commission or a local trustee, as defined, of granted public trust lands from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. 2018, except as provided. Existing law requires the commission or a local trustee when approving or disapproving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to follow a specified process. Existing law provides that these provisions do not prevent specified activities, including, among others, issuance by the commission of leases pursuant to exceptions applicable to the California Coastal Sanctuary.

This bill would additionally prohibit leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters from being used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, except as provided. The bill would specify that the above-described requirement regarding approval or disapproval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification also applies to a lease assignment. The bill would additionally require the commission or the local trustee, in considering approval or disapproval, to consider additional factors, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

Existing law prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee, as defined, of granted public trust lands from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. Existing law requires the commission or a local trustee when approving or disapproving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to follow a specified process. Existing law provides that these provisions do not prevent specified activities, including, among others, issuance by the commission of leases pursuant to exceptions applicable to the California Coastal Sanctuary.

This bill would specify that the requirement regarding approval or disapproval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification also applies to a lease assignment. The bill would additionally require the commission or the local trustee, in considering approval or disapproval, to consider additional factors, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Coastal Act of 1976 requires a person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone to obtain a coastal development permit. The act encourages coastal-dependent industrial facilities to locate or expand within existing sites and requires that facilities be permitted reasonable long-term growth, as provided. The act specifies that new or expanded oil and gas development is not to be considered a coastal-dependent industrial facility and is to be permitted only if it is consistent with the act and meets certain requirements, including a requirement that oil produced offshore is to be transported onshore by pipeline using the best achievable technology, as defined, and onshore transport of the oil to processing and refining facilities by pipeline. The act applies the pipeline requirements on new or expanded oil extraction operations, and defines terms for these purposes, including the term expanded oil extraction. The act authorizes the transport of the oil by other modes of transportation if certain conditions are met.

This bill would require the onshore transportation of the oil to processing and refining facilities to use the best available technology, as provided. The bill would repeal authorization for the use of alternative modes of transportation. The bill would revise the definition of expanded oil extraction to include reactivation of a facility idled, inactive, or out of service for more than 3 5 years, or an increase in oil extraction from the use of hydraulic fracturing, extended reach drilling, acidization, or other unconventional technologies.

The act authorizes the repair and maintenance of an existing oil and gas facility to be permitted as a coastal-dependent industrial facility if certain requirements are met.

The bill would require a person to obtain a new coastal development permit for the repair, reactivation, and maintenance of an oil and gas facility facility, including an oil pipeline, that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for 5 years or more.

Because the bill would impose additional duties on a local government with a certified local coastal program in processing and reviewing an application for a coastal development permit, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee, as defined, of granted public trust lands from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. Existing law requires the commission or a local trustee when approving or disapproving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to follow a specified process. Existing law provides that these provisions do not prevent specified activities, including, among others, issuance by the commission of leases pursuant to exceptions applicable to the California Coastal Sanctuary.

This bill would specify that the requirement regarding approval or disapproval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification also applies to a lease assignment. The bill would additionally require the commission or the local trustee, in considering approval or disapproval, to consider additional factors, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Coastal Act of 1976 requires a person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone to obtain a coastal development permit. The act encourages coastal-dependent industrial facilities to locate or expand within existing sites and requires that facilities be permitted reasonable long-term growth, as provided. The act specifies that new or expanded oil and gas development is not to be considered a coastal-dependent industrial facility and is to be permitted only if it is consistent with the act and meets certain requirements, including a requirement that oil produced offshore is to be transported onshore by pipeline using the best achievable technology, as defined, and onshore transport of the oil to processing and refining facilities by pipeline. The act applies the pipeline requirements on new or expanded oil extraction operations, and defines terms for these purposes, including the term expanded oil extraction. The act authorizes the transport of the oil by other modes of transportation if certain conditions are met.

This bill would require the onshore transportation of the oil to processing and refining facilities to use the best available technology, as provided. The bill would repeal authorization for the use of alternative modes of transportation. The bill would revise the definition of expanded oil extraction to include reactivation of a facility idled, inactive, or out of service for more than 3 years, or an increase in oil extraction from the use of hydraulic fracturing, extended reach drilling, acidization, or other unconventional technologies.

The act authorizes the repair and maintenance of an existing oil and gas facility to be permitted as a coastal-dependent industrial facility if certain requirements are met.

The bill would require a person to obtain a new coastal development permit for the repair, reactivation, and maintenance of an oil and gas facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for 3 5 years or more.

Because the bill would impose additional duties on a local government with a certified local coastal program in processing and reviewing an application for a coastal development permit, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee, as defined, of granted public trust lands from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. Existing law requires the commission or a local trustee when approving or disapproving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to follow a specified process. Existing law provides that these provisions do not prevent specified activities, including, among others, issuance by the commission of leases pursuant to exceptions applicable to the California Coastal Sanctuary.

This bill would specify that the requirement regarding approval or disapproval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification also applies to a lease assignment. The bill would additionally require the commission or the local trustee, in considering approval or disapproval, to consider additional factors, as specified. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Coastal Act of 1976 requires a person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone to obtain a coastal development permit. The act encourages coastal-dependent industrial facilities to locate or expand within existing sites and requires that facilities be permitted reasonable long-term growth, as provided. The act specifies that new or expanded oil and gas development is not to be considered a coastal-dependent industrial facility and is to be permitted only if it is consistent with the act and meets certain requirements, including a requirement that oil produced offshore is to be transported onshore by pipeline using the best achievable technology, as defined, and onshore transport of the oil to processing and refining facilities by pipeline. The act applies the pipeline requirements on new or expanded oil extraction operations, and defines terms for these purposes, including the term expanded oil extraction. The act authorizes the transport of the oil by other modes of transportation if certain conditions are met.

This bill would require the onshore transportation of the oil to processing and refining facilities to use the best available technology, as provided. For interstate hazardous liquid pipelines not under the State Fire Marshals jurisdiction, the bill would require the State Fire Marshal to request approval from the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to obtain interstate certification and, with the approval of that federal agency, would require the State Fire Marshal to ensure those pipelines comply with federal and state laws. The bill would repeal authorization for the use of alternative modes of transportation. The bill would revise the definition of expanded oil extraction to include reactivation of a facility idled, inactive, or out of service for more than 3 years, or an increase in oil extraction from the use of hydraulic fracturing, extended reach drilling, acidization, or other unconventional technologies.

The act authorizes the repair and maintenance of an existing oil and gas facility to be permitted as a coastal-dependent industrial facility if certain requirements are met.

This bill would authorize the reactivation of an existing oil and gas facility to also be permitted as a coastal-dependent industrial facility. The bill would require a person to obtain a new coastal development permit for the repair, reactivation, and maintenance of an oil and gas facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for 3 years or more.

Because the bill would impose additional duties on a local government with a certified local coastal program in processing and reviewing an application for a coastal development permit, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee, as defined, of granted public trust lands from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. Existing law requires the commission or a local trustee when approving or disapproving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to follow a specified process. Existing law provides that these provisions do not prevent specified activities, including, among others, issuance by the commission of leases pursuant to exceptions applicable to the California Coastal Sanctuary.

This bill would apply the above-described prohibition and requirement to any Pacific Outer Continental Shelf lease upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters. The bill would specify that the requirement regarding approval or disapproval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification also applies to a lease assignment. The bill would additionally require the commission or the local trustee, in considering approval or disapproval, to consider additional factors, as specified. The bill would require the approval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification by not less than ²/₃ of all members of the commission or the governing board of the local trustee. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Coastal Act of 1976 requires a person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone to obtain a coastal development permit. The act encourages coastal-dependent industrial facilities to locate or expand within existing sites and requires that facilities be permitted reasonable long-term growth, as provided. The act specifies that new or expanded oil and gas development is not to be considered a coastal-dependent industrial facility and is to be permitted only if it is consistent with the act and meets certain requirements, including a requirement that oil produced offshore is to be transported onshore by pipeline using the best achievable technology, as defined, and onshore transport of the oil to processing and refining facilities by pipeline. The act applies the pipeline requirements on new or expanded oil extraction operations, and defines terms for these purposes, including the term expanded oil extraction. The act authorizes the transport of the oil by other modes of transportation if certain conditions are met.

This bill would require the onshore transportation of the oil to processing and refining facilities to use the best achievable technology. The available technology, as provided. For interstate hazardous liquid pipelines not under the State Fire Marshals jurisdiction, the bill would require the pipelines used for transporting the oil produced offshore to be certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as meeting certain conditions. require the State Fire Marshal to request approval from the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to obtain interstate certification and, with the approval of that federal agency, would require the State Fire Marshal to ensure those pipelines comply with federal and state laws. The bill would repeal authorization for the use of alternative modes of transportation. The bill would revise the definition of expanded oil extraction to include reactivation of a facility idled, inactive, or out of service for more than 3 years, or an increase in oil extraction from the use of hydraulic fracturing, extended reach drilling, acidization, or other unconventional technologies.

The act authorizes the repair and maintenance of an existing oil and gas facility to be permitted as a coastal-dependent industrial facility if certain requirements are met.

This bill would authorize the reactivation of an existing oil and gas facility to also be permitted as a coastal-dependent industrial facility. The bill would require a person to obtain a new coastal development permit for the repair, reactivation, and maintenance of an oil and gas facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for 3 years or more.

Because the bill would impose additional duties on a local government with a certified local coastal program in processing and reviewing an application for a coastal development permit, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee, as defined, of granted public trust lands from entering into a new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. Existing law requires the commission or a local trustee when approving or disapproving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to follow a specified process. Existing law provides that these provisions do not prevent specified activities, including, among others, issuance by the commission of leases pursuant to exceptions applicable to the California Coastal Sanctuary.

This bill would apply the above-described prohibition and requirement to any Pacific Outer Continental Shelf lease upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters. The bill would specify that the requirement regarding approval or disapproval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification also applies to a lease assignment. The bill would additionally require the commission or the local trustee, in considering approval or disapproval, to consider additional factors, as specified. The bill would require the approval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification by not less than ²/₃ of all members of the commission or the governing board of the local trustee. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Coastal Act of 1976 requires a person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone to obtain a coastal development permit. The act encourages coastal-dependent industrial facilities to locate or expand within existing sites and requires that facilities be permitted reasonable long-term growth, as provided. The act specifies that new or expanded oil and gas development is not to be considered a coastal-dependent industrial facility and is to be permitted only if it is consistent with the act and meets certain requirements, including a requirement that oil produced offshore is to be transported onshore by pipeline using the best achievable technology, as defined, and onshore transport of the oil to processing and refining facilities by pipeline. The act applies the pipeline requirements on new or expanded oil extraction operations, and defines terms for these purposes, including the term expanded oil extraction. The act authorizes the transport of the oil by other modes of transportation if certain conditions are met.

This bill would require the onshore transportation of the oil to processing and refining facilities to use the best achievable technology. The bill would require the pipelines used for transporting the oil produced offshore to be certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as meeting certain conditions. The bill would repeal authorization for the use of alternative modes of transportation. The bill would revise the definition of expanded oil extraction to include reactivation of a facility idled, inactive, or out of service for more than 3 years, or an increase in oil extraction from the use of hydraulic fracturing, extended reach drilling, acidization, or other unconventional technologies.

The act authorizes the repair and maintenance of an existing oil and gas facility to be permitted as a coastal-dependent industrial facility if certain requirements are met.

This bill would authorize the reactivation of an existing oil and gas facility to also be permitted as a coastal-dependent industrial facility. The bill would require a person to obtain a new coastal development permit for the repair, reactivation, and maintenance of an oil and gas facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for 3 years or more.

Because the bill would impose additional duties on a local government with a certified local coastal program in processing and reviewing an application for a coastal development permit, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1448

Author:(Hart)

As Amended Ver:August 4, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Modifies existing requirements for the transfer, assignment or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leases; prohibits leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands from being used to support Pacific OCS leases issued after January 1, 2026; and limits the exception authorizing new oil- and gas-leasing on state tide and submerged lands within the California Coastal Sanctuary if state oil deposits are being drained from producing wells on federal lands to those areas not in the state's marine protected areas or national marine sanctuaries, as provided.

Senate Amendments

1. Strike all amendments to Public Resources Code 30262.
2. Prohibit the State Lands Commission (SLC) from entering into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands in the California Coastal Sanctuary in areas designated as California marine protected areas pursuant to the Marine Life Protection Act as of, or after, January 1, 2026, or areas designated as national marine sanctuaries under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act as of, or after, January 1, 2026.
3. Prohibit any leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters be used to support Pacific OCS leases issued after January 1, 2026.
4. Require SLC to consider additional explicit factors when determining whether to approve a proposed lease assignment, renewal, modification, or amendment.
5. Require, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made.

COMMENTS

The current Trump Administration has reversed a January 2025 drilling ban in the outer continental shelf (OCS) part of a new 11^th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing program (National OCS Leasing Program). All of the Pacific coast, including six potential sales off the coast of California, has been proposed for inclusion. In addition, citing time constraints, the US Bureau of Ocean Engineering Management has announced it is not preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 2026 – 2031 National OCS Leasing Program, unlike those that had been prepared previously for earlier 5-year programs, and is not intending to provide the public an opportunity to comment on a draft programmatic EIS specific to offshore California leasing.

Similar to previous recent attempts to reopen federal OCS oil and gas leasing offshore California, there is considerable opposition. The commission recently approved a resolution in opposition and Governor Newsom has stated his Administration's opposition.

According to the Author

AB 1448 aims to enhance the California SLC's authority to protect designated lands from the expansion of oil- and gas- related infrastructure.

Arguments in Support

In a joint sign-on letter, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Environmental Defense Center write, "AB1448 will safeguard our coast against federal attempts to unlawfully open federal waters to new oil leasing off California. The Trump Administration has pledged to drill everywhere and will undoubtedly seek to expand Pacific offshore drilling. Current gaps in state law leave untoward paths for federal oil expansion through existing infrastructure in state waters. AB1448 takes a firm stand against efforts to expand drilling off our coast, to protect against associated risks to California interests.

Moreover, AB1448 addresses the need to prevent aging infrastructure from expanded or prolonged use when it should be retired. Offshore oil infrastructure has outlived its lifespan and presents significant risks. This bill requires strict environmental considerations for the reactivation of oil projects that have been shut down. Recent oil spills off our coast are stark reminders of the need to decommission — not restart — antiquated infrastructure."

Arguments in Opposition

The State Building and Construction Trades Council of California write, "On the heels of several recent policy decisions that have led to the announced closures of two additional refineries in California, this bill seeks to cut off yet another source of domestic crude oil for our in-state refineries. Simply put, California and every Californian cannot afford this bill or policies like it, making it increasingly difficult and prohibitively expensive to operate refineries in-state."

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee to a previous version of the bill:

1. Potential loss in annual rental revenue of an unknown amount, potentially in excess of $150,000, from offshore oil- and gas-related infrastructure leases to the extent the SLC or a local trustee denies one or more applications for a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, as a result of the bill's requirements and conditions (General Fund). SLC collected approximately $949,000 in rental revenue from its approximately one dozen pipeline right-of-way leases in fiscal year 2023-24.
2. By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, and by imposing additional duties on a local government with a certified LCP in processing and reviewing an application for a CDP, this bill imposes a state-mandated local program. These costs are potentially reimbursable by the state, subject to a determination by the Commission on State Mandates (General Fund).

VOTES:

ASM NATURAL RESOURCES: 10-4-0

YES: Bryan, Connolly, Garcia, Haney, Kalra, Muratsuchi, Pellerin, Schultz, Wicks, Zbur

NO: Alanis, Ellis, Flora, Hoover

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-3-1

YES: Wicks, Arambula, Calderon, Caloza, Elhawary, Fong, Mark González, Hart, Pacheco, Pellerin, Solache

NO: Dixon, Ta, Tangipa

ABS, ABST OR NV: Sanchez

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26-11

YES: Addis, Ahrens, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Connolly, Elhawary, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Papan, Pellerin, Celeste Rodriguez, Rogers, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Stefani, Ward, Wicks, Zbur, Rivas

NO: Alanis, Ávila Farías, Bains, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, DeMaio, Dixon, Ellis, Flora, Gallagher, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Hadwick, Hoover, Lackey, Macedo, Patterson, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Wallis

ABS, ABST OR NV: Aguiar-Curry, Alvarez, Davies, Nguyen, Pacheco, Patel, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Valencia, Wilson

UPDATED

VERSION: August 4, 2026

CONSULTANT: Paige Brokaw / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0004169

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1448

Author: Hart (D), et al.

Amended: 8/4/26 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 4-3, 7/8/25

AYES: Limón, Allen, Laird, Stern

NOES: Seyarto, Grove, Hurtado

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-2, 8/29/25

AYES: Caballero, Cabaldon, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

NOES: Seyarto, Dahle

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 5-2, 6/9/26

AYES: Becker, Allen, Cabaldon, Laird, Reyes

NOES: Seyarto, Grove

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Coastal resources: California Coastal Sanctuary: tidelands and submerged lands: oil and gas development

SOURCE: Center for Biological Diversity

Environmental Defense Center

Oceana

DIGEST:

This bill modifies existing requirements for the transfer, assignment or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases; prohibits leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands from being used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026; requires the State Lands Commission to consider additional explicit factors when determining whether to approve a proposed lease assignment, renewal, modification, or amendment; and limits the exception authorizing new oil- and gas-leasing on state tide and submerged lands within the California Coastal Sanctuary if state oil deposits are being drained from producing wells on federal lands to those areas not in the state’s marine protected areas or national marine sanctuaries, as provided.

Senate Floor Amendments of 8/4/26 reinstate the existing exception to the prohibition on the State Lands Commission’s issuance of new oil and gas leases on state tide and submerged lands when state oil deposits are being drained from producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and limit the exception to areas not in state marine protected areas or national marine sanctuaries; update references to federal Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018 to January 1, 2026; provide additional explicit criteria for the State Lands Commission to consider when determining whether to approve the assignment of an existing oil and gas and mineral lease; and make additional conforming and technical changes.

ANALYSIS: Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Coastal Sanctuary via the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994. (California Coastal Sanctuary Act, Public Resources Code (PRC) §§6240 et seq.)
   1. Defines the California Coastal Sanctuary to include all state waters subject to tidal influence except those with a lease for the extraction of oil or gas in effect on January 1, 1995, unless the lease reverts to the state after January 1, 1995, and any state waters east of the Carquinez bridges on Interstate 80. (PRC §6242)
   2. Prohibits any state agency or officer to enter into any new lease for the extraction of oil or gas from the California Coastal Sanctuary unless certain limited conditions are met. (PRC §6243)
   3. Authorizes the State Lands Commission to enter into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands in the California Coastal Sanctuary if the State Lands Commission determines that those oil or gas deposits are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interests of the state. (PRC §6244)
2. Defines, pursuant to the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the outer continental shelf (OCS) as all submerged lands lying between the seaward extent of the state jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction. (43 United States Code §§1331 et seq.)
3. Provides the State Lands Commission with exclusive jurisdiction over all ungranted tidelands and submerged lands owned by the state which have been or may be acquired by the state, as provided. (PRC §6301)
4. Prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee from entering into any new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018, with limited exceptions. (PRC §6245)
5. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee, prior to approving any lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification to authorize new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018,  to consider whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment,  or modification is necessary to protect the marine environment or to ensure human health and safety; and other factors, as provided. (PRC §6245)
6. Authorizes the State Lands Commission, in considering whether the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit, to consider whether a proposed assignee is likely to comply with the terms of the lease or permit, as provided. (PRC §6804)

This bill:

1. Limits the provision in the California Coastal Sanctuary Act that authorizes the State Lands Commission to enter into a lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands if the State Lands Commission determines that those oil and gas deposits are being drained by producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interests of the state to those areas not in state marine protected areas or national marine sanctuaries.
2. Prohibits the use of leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters to be used to support Pacific OCS leases issued after January 1, 2026, except as provided.
3. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee before approving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification for the operation of oil- and gas-related infrastructure on tide and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific OCS leases issued after January 1, 2026 to consider additional explicit factors, such as whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment or modification may impact public trust resources and values, among others, as provided.
4. Specifies that an increase in the volume of oil and gas conveyed across state waters for the purposes of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification includes by commencing, increasing, intensifying, or restarting production from the Pacific OCS, as provided.
5. Requires the State Lands Commission to consider whether the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of an oil and gas and mineral lease or sublease is in the best interests of the state and will protect the state’s public trust resources. Requires, instead of authorizes, the State Lands Commission to consider whether a proposed assignee is likely to comply with the terms of the lease or permit, as provided, including the following additional criteria:
   1. The proposed assignee’s history of accidents, including oil spills.
   2. Whether the proposed assignee has the capability and experience to protect the public trust resources and values of the state, as specified.
   3. Confirmation that the proposed assignee has submitted a bond to the State Lands Commission in an amount no less than the cost of decommissioning the assigned facilities, as provided.
6. Makes various technical and conforming changes, and requires reimbursement to a local agency or school district if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this bill contains costs mandated by the state, as specified.

Comments

With the exception of the State Building and Construction Trades Council, the opposition is to earlier versions of this bill.

[NOTE: See the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee analysis for additional information.]

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee to a previous version of the bill:

• Potential loss in annual rental revenue of an unknown amount, potentially in excess of $150,000, from offshore oil- and gas-related infrastructure leases to the extent the State Lands Commission (SLC) or a local trustee denies one or more applications for a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, as a result of the bill’s requirements and conditions (General Fund). SLC collected approximately $949,000 in rental revenue from its approximately one dozen pipeline right-of-way leases in fiscal year 2023-24.
• By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, and by imposing additional duties on a local government with a certified LCP in processing and reviewing an application for a CDP, this bill imposes a state-mandated local program. These costs are potentially reimbursable by the state, subject to a determination by the Commission on State Mandates (General Fund).

SUPPORT: (Verified 7/31/26)

Center for Biological Diversity (co-source)

Environmental Defense Center (co-source)

Oceana (co-source)

7^th Generation Advisors

350 Bay Area Action

350 Hawaii

350 Humboldt

350 Sacramento

350 Santa Barbara

417 Poplar, LLC

Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment

Amazon Watch

Amy Jeske Homes, Inc.

Animals Are Sentient Beings, Inc.

Azul

Ban SUP (Single Use Plastics)

Between the Waters

Bixby Residential

Border Grill Restaurants and Truck

Burea, Inc.

Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast

California Coastal Protection Network

California Coastkeeper Alliance

California Environmental Voters

California Land Watch

California Legislative Central Coast Caucus

California Marine Sanctuary Foundation

California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice

California Outdoor Recreation Partnership

Center for Environmental Health

Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment

Central Coast Climate Justice Network

Cerca Cultivation

Charlie Hong Kong

Citizens Planning Association

City and County of San Francisco

City of Encinitas

City of Goleta

City of Santa Barbara

CleanEarth4Kids.org

Clean Water Action

Climate Action California

Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas

Climate Hawks Vote

Climate Health Now Action Fund

Climate Reality Project, San Diego

CLUE-SB Environmental Justice Group

Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation

Contra Costa MoveOn

County of Marin

County of San Mateo

County of Santa Barbara

Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching

Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action

Defenders of Wildlife

E2

Earthwell Refill

Elected Officials to Protect America Code Blue

Environmental Law Club at UCSB

Environmental Action Committee of West Marin

Environmental Center of San Diego

Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)

EOPA Code Blue

Families Advocating for Chemical and Tech Safety (FACTS)

Field + Form

Fish On

Food & Water Watch

Friends Committee on Legislation of California

Friends of the Earth

FutureSwell

Get Oil Out!

Greenpeace USA

GreenLatinos

Green Policy Initiative

Groundzero

Heal the Bay

Heal the Ocean

Hubble Daily Architecture + Design

Humboldt Waterkeeper

Indivisible CA Green Team

Indivisible Santa Cruz County, Environmental Issues Team

International Marine Mammal Project, Earth Island Institute

Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy

Los Angeles Waterkeeper

Los Padres ForestWatch

Mako Strategies

Media Alliance

Mercury Press, Inc.

Midsomman, LLC

Modo Yoga San Diego

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Waterkeeper

My Zero Waste Store

Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club

Natural Resources Defense Council

North American Climate Conservation and Environment (NACCE)

Ocean Conservation Research

Oil and Gas Action Network

Orange County Coastkeeper

Pacific Catch

Pacific Coast Hidaway, LLC

Paddle for Peace

Page Events

Patagonia

Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network

Physicians for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles

Physicians for Social Responsibility, San Francisco Bay Chapter

Progressives for Climate

Project Kolika

Protect Ballona Wetlands

PuraVida Surf Shop, Inc.

Quabajai Coastal Chumash Keeper of the Western Gate

Resources Renewal Institute

Root Utility Netwwork

Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples

St. Joseph Justice Center

Salt + Noelle

San Diego 350

San Diego Coastkeeper

San Francisco Baykeeper

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Santa Barbara County Action Network

Santa Barbara Sportfishing

Santa Cruz Waves

Save Our Shores

Sea Forager

Sereia

Sierra Club California

Sierra Club, Santa Barbara Group

Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter (San Luis Obispo County)

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas in California

SoCal 350 Climate Action

Society of Fearless Grandmothers of Santa Barbara

Soichi Sushi

Solano County Democratic Central Committee

Stardust Sportfishing

Sunflower Alliance

Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider Foundation – Isla Vista Club

Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter

Sustainable Rossmoor

The Climate Center

The Fund for Santa Barbara

The Green Room

The Refill Shoppe

Third Act SoCal

Transformative Wealth Management

Turtle Island Restoration Network

UCSB Environmental Affairs Board

United Nations Association – California

Ventura Coastkeeper

Vote Solar

West Coast Paddle Sports

Wild Beacon Consulting

Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation

Zero Hour

OPPOSITION: (Verified 7/31/26)

Central Valley Business Federation

IEEP

Kern Citizens of Energy

Kern County Economic Development Corporation

Kern County Taxpayers Association

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Los Angeles County Business Federation

Sable Offshore Corporation

SAGE Monterey

Santa Maria Valley Chamber

SBCTAC

SLO COLAB

South County Chamber

State Building and Construction Trades Council

Tri-County Chamber Alliance

VC Taxpayers Association

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “AB 1448 aims to enhance the California State Lands Commission’s authority to protect designated lands from the expansion of oil- and gas- related infrastructure.”

In a joint sign-on letter, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Environmental Defense Center write, “AB1448 will safeguard our coast against federal attempts to unlawfully open federal waters to new oil leasing off California. The Trump Administration has pledged to drill everywhere and will undoubtedly seek to expand Pacific offshore drilling. Current gaps in state law leave untoward paths for federal oil expansion through existing infrastructure in state waters. AB1448 takes a firm stand against efforts to expand drilling off our coast, to protect against associated risks to California interests.

Moreover, AB1448 addresses the need to prevent aging infrastructure from expanded or prolonged use when it should be retired. Offshore oil infrastructure has outlived its lifespan and presents significant risks. This bill requires strict environmental considerations for the reactivation of oil projects that have been shut down. Recent oil spills off our coast are stark reminders of the need to decommission — not restart — antiquated infrastructure.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: Writing in opposition, the State Building and Construction Trades Council states, “On the heels of several recent policy decisions that have led to the announced closures of two additional refineries in California, this bill seeks to cut off yet another source of domestic crude oil for our in-state refineries. Simply put, California and every Californian cannot afford this bill or policies like it, making it increasingly difficult and prohibitively expensive to operate refineries in-state.”

“Californians are already struggling with an ever-increasing cost of living. Every additional refinery closure will lead to thousands of job losses and millions of dollars in revenue lost from essential state programs, result in a sharp increase in costs for every Californians. The Legislature has prioritized moving policies that lower consumer costs, diminish costs to the state, and keep California refineries viable until they are no longer needed., This bill, which carries legal liability in the billions, is antithetical to those goals.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25

AYES: Addis, Ahrens, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Connolly, Elhawary, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Papan, Pellerin, Celeste Rodriguez, Rogers, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Stefani, Ward, Wicks, Zbur, Rivas

NOES: Alanis, Ávila Farías, Bains, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, DeMaio, Dixon, Ellis, Flora, Gallagher, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Hadwick, Hoover, Lackey, Macedo, Patterson, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Wallis

NO VOTE RECORDED: Aguiar-Curry, Alvarez, Davies, Nguyen, Pacheco, Patel, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Valencia, Wilson

Prepared by: Katharine Moore / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

8/5/26 16:20:52

**** END ****

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1448

Author: Hart (D), et al.

Amended: 4/28/26 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 4-3, 7/8/25

AYES: Limón, Allen, Laird, Stern

NOES: Seyarto, Grove, Hurtado

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-2, 8/29/25

AYES: Caballero, Cabaldon, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

NOES: Seyarto, Dahle

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 5-2, 6/9/26

AYES: Becker, Allen, Cabaldon, Laird, Reyes

NOES: Seyarto, Grove

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Coastal resources: California Coastal Sanctuary: tidelands and submerged lands: oil and gas development

SOURCE: Center for Biological Diversity

Environmental Defense Center

Oceana

DIGEST:

This bill expands upon existing requirements for the transfer or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases to include lease assignments; prohibits leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands from being used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026; and removes the exception authorizing new oil- and gas-leasing in state waters within the California Coastal Sanctuary if state oil deposits are being drained from wells on federal lands, as provided.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Coastal Sanctuary via the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994. (California Coastal Sanctuary Act, Public Resources Code (PRC) §§6240 et seq.)
   1. Defines the California Coastal Sanctuary to include all state waters subject to tidal influence except those with a lease for the extraction of oil or gas in effect on January 1, 1995, unless the lease reverts to the state after January 1, 1995, and any state waters east of the Carquinez bridges on Interstate 80. (PRC §6242)
   2. Prohibits any state agency or officer to enter into any new lease for the extraction of oil or gas from the California Coastal Sanctuary unless certain limited conditions are met. (PRC §6243)
   3. Authorizes the State Lands Commission to enter into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands in the California Coastal Sanctuary if the State Lands Commission determines that those oil or gas deposits are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interests of the state. (PRC §6244)
2. Defines, pursuant to the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the outer continental shelf (OCS) as all submerged lands lying between the seaward extent of the state jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction. (43 United States Code §§1331 et seq.)
3. Provides the State Lands Commission with exclusive jurisdiction over all ungranted tidelands and submerged lands owned by the state which have been or may be acquired by the state, as provided. (PRC §6301)
4. Prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee from entering into any new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018, with limited exceptions. (PRC §6245)
5. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee, prior to approving any lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification to authorize new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018,  to consider whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment,  or modification is necessary to protect the marine environment or to ensure human health and safety; and other factors, as provided. (PRC §6245)
6. Authorizes the State Lands Commission, in considering whether the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit, to consider whether a proposed assignee is likely to comply with the terms of the lease or permit, as provided. (PRC §6804)

This bill:

1. Deletes from the California Coastal Sanctuary Act the provision that authorizes the State Lands Commission to enter into a lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands if the State Lands Commission determines that those oil and gas deposits are being drained by producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interests of the state.
2. Prohibits the use of leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters to be used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, except as provided.
3. Adds an application for a lease assignment for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to existing State Lands Commission or local trustee public notice requirements, as provided.
   1. Removes the requirement that the application is to authorize only new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure.
   2. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to take no further action to approve the requested lease assignment until 180 days after public notification, as provided.
4. Adds lease assignment to the existing process the State Lands Commission or local trustee undertake before approving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification for oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018. Removes the requirement that the application is to authorize new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to additionally consider various factors, such as, whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification may impact public trust resources and values, among other factors.
5. Prohibits the approval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification that will increase the volume of oil and gas conveyed across state waters, including by commencing, increasing, intensifying, or restarting production from the Pacific OCS at the same properly noticed public meeting it is first presented at. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to accept public comments.at the meeting it votes to approve or disapprove the lease assignment.
6. Requires that the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit is in the best interest of the state, as provided.
7. Makes various technical changes, and requires reimbursement to a local agency or school district if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this bill contains costs mandated by the state, as specified.

Comments

With the exception of the State Building and Construction Trades Council, the opposition is to earlier versions of this bill.

[NOTE: See the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee analysis for additional information.]

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee to a previous version of the bill:

• Potential loss in annual rental revenue of an unknown amount, potentially in excess of $150,000, from offshore oil- and gas-related infrastructure leases to the extent the State Lands Commission (SLC) or a local trustee denies one or more applications for a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, as a result of the bill’s requirements and conditions (General Fund). SLC collected approximately $949,000 in rental revenue from its approximately one dozen pipeline right-of-way leases in fiscal year 2023-24.
• By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, and by imposing additional duties on a local government with a certified LCP in processing and reviewing an application for a CDP, this bill imposes a state-mandated local program. These costs are potentially reimbursable by the state, subject to a determination by the Commission on State Mandates (General Fund).

SUPPORT: (Verified 6/16/26)

Center for Biological Diversity (co-sponsor)

Environmental Defense Center (co-sponsor)

Oceana (co-sponsor)

7^th Generation Advisors

350 Bay Area Action

350 Hawaii

350 Humboldt

350 Sacramento

350 Santa Barbara

417 Poplar, LLC

Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment

Amazon Watch

Amy Jeske Homes, Inc.

Animals Are Sentient Beings, Inc.

Azul

Ban SUP (Single Use Plastics)

Between the Waters

Bixby Residential

Border Grill Restaurants and Truck

Burea, Inc.

Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast

California Coastal Protection Network

California Coastkeeper Alliance

California Environmental Voters

California Land Watch

California Legislative Central Coast Caucus

California Marine Sanctuary Foundation

California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice

California Outdoor Recreation Partnership

Center for Environmental Health

Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment

Central Coast Climate Justice Network

Cerca Cultivation

Charlie Hong Kong

Citizens Planning Association

City of Goleta

City of Santa Barbara

CleanEarth4Kids.org

Clean Water Action

Climate Action California

Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas

Climate Hawks Vote

Climate Health Now Action Fund

Climate Reality Project, San Diego

CLUE-SB Environmental Justice Group

Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation

Contra Costa MoveOn

County of Santa Barbara

Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching

Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action

Defenders of Wildlife

E2

Earthwell Refill

Elected Officials to Protect America Code Blue

Environmental Law Club at UCSB

Environmental Action Committee of West Marin

Environmental Center of San Diego

Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)

EOPA Code Blue

Families Advocating for Chemical and Tech Safety (FACTS)

Field + Form

Fish On

Food & Water Watch

Friends Committee on Legislation of California

Friends of the Earth

FutureSwell

Get Oil Out!

Greenpeace USA

GreenLatinos

Green Policy Initiative

Groundzero

Heal the Bay

Heal the Ocean

Hubble Daily Architecture + Design

Humboldt Waterkeeper

Indivisible CA Green Team

Indivisible Santa Cruz County, Environmental Issues Team

International Marine Mammal Project, Earth Island Institute

Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy

Los Angeles Waterkeeper

Los Padres ForestWatch

Mako Strategies

Media Alliance

Mercury Press, Inc.

Midsomman, LLC

Modo Yoga San Diego

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Waterkeeper

My Zero Waste Store

Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club

Natural Resources Defense Council

North American Climate Conservation and Environment (NACCE)

Ocean Conservation Research

Oil and Gas Action Network

Orange County Coastkeeper

Pacific Catch

Pacific Coast Hidaway, LLC

Paddle for Peace

Page Events

Patagonia

Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network

Physicians for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles

Physicians for Social Responsibility, San Francisco Bay Chapter

Progressives for Climate

Project Kolika

Protect Ballona Wetlands

PuraVida Surf Shop, Inc.

Quabajai Coastal Chumash Keeper of the Western Gate

Resources Renewal Institute

Root Utility Netwwork

Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples

Salt + Noelle

San Diego 350

San Diego Coastkeeper

San Francisco Baykeeper

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Santa Barbara County Action Network

Santa Barbara Sportfishing

Santa Cruz Waves

Save Our Shores

Sea Forager

Sereia

Sierra Club California

Sierra Club, Santa Barbara Group

Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter (San Luis Obispo County)

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas in California

SoCal 350 Climate Action

Society of Fearless Grandmothers of Santa Barbara

Soichi Sushi

Solano County Democratic Central Committee

Stardust Sportfishing

Sunflower Alliance

Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider Foundation – Isla Vista Club

Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter

Sustainable Rossmoor

The Climate Center

The Fund for Santa Barbara

The Green Room

The Refill Shoppe

Third Act SoCal

Transformative Wealth Management

Turtle Island Restoration Network

UCSB Environmental Affairs Board

United Nations Association – California

Ventura Coastkeeper

Vote Solar

West Coast Paddle Sports

Wild Beacon Consulting

Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation

Zero Hour

OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/16/26)

Central Valley Business Federation

IEEP

Kern Citizens of Energy

Kern County Economic Development Corporation

Kern County Taxpayers Association

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Los Angeles County Business Federation

Sable Offshore Corporation

SAGE Monterey

Santa Maria Valley Chamber

SBCTAC

SLO COLAB

South County Chamber

State Building and Construction Trades Council

Tri-County Chamber Alliance

VC Taxpayers Association

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “AB 1448 aims to enhance the California State Lands Commission’s authority to protect designated lands from the expansion of oil- and gas- related infrastructure.”

In a joint sign-on letter, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Environmental Defense Center write, “AB1448 will safeguard our coast against federal attempts to unlawfully open federal waters to new oil leasing off California. The Trump Administration has pledged to drill everywhere and will undoubtedly seek to expand Pacific offshore drilling. Current gaps in state law leave untoward paths for federal oil expansion through existing infrastructure in state waters. AB1448 takes a firm stand against efforts to expand drilling off our coast, to protect against associated risks to California interests.

Moreover, AB1448 addresses the need to prevent aging infrastructure from expanded or prolonged use when it should be retired. Offshore oil infrastructure has outlived its lifespan and presents significant risks. This bill requires strict environmental considerations for the reactivation of oil projects that have been shut down. Recent oil spills off our coast are stark reminders of the need to decommission — not restart — antiquated infrastructure.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: Writing in opposition, the State Building and Construction Trades Council states, “On the heels of several recent policy decisions that have led to the announced closures of two additional refineries in California, this bill seeks to cut off yet another source of domestic crude oil for our in-state refineries. Simply put, California and every Californian cannot afford this bill or policies like it, making it increasingly difficult and prohibitively expensive to operate refineries in-state.”

“Californians are already struggling with an ever-increasing cost of living. Every additional refinery closure will lead to thousands of job losses and millions of dollars in revenue lost from essential state programs, result in a sharp increase in costs for every Californians. The Legislature has prioritized moving policies that lower consumer costs, diminish costs to the state, and keep California refineries viable until they are no longer needed., This bill, which carries legal liability in the billions, is antithetical to those goals.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25

AYES: Addis, Ahrens, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Connolly, Elhawary, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Papan, Pellerin, Celeste Rodriguez, Rogers, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Stefani, Ward, Wicks, Zbur, Rivas

NOES: Alanis, Ávila Farías, Bains, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, DeMaio, Dixon, Ellis, Flora, Gallagher, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Hadwick, Hoover, Lackey, Macedo, Patterson, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Wallis

NO VOTE RECORDED: Aguiar-Curry, Alvarez, Davies, Nguyen, Pacheco, Patel, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Valencia, Wilson

Prepared by: Katharine Moore / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

6/17/26 16:28:16

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER

Senator Josh Becker, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: AB Hearing Date: June 9, 2026

Subject: Coastal resources: California Coastal Sanctuary: tidelands and submerged lands: oil and gas development

SUMMARY

This bill would expand upon existing requirements for the transfer or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases to include lease assignments, prohibit leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands from being used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, and remove the exception authorizing new oil- and gas-leasing in state waters within the California Coastal Sanctuary if state oil deposits are being drained from wells on federal lands, as provided.

BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW

California’s coastal economy.

Over 150 million visitors annually enjoy California’s coastline. According to Oceana, nearly 600,000 jobs and over $42 billion in GDP rely on clean beaches and a healthy ocean. According to a 2024 report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, coastal tourism and recreation produced 47% of GDP and 67% of the employment of California’s marine economy. In comparison, mineral resources offshore, produced only 5% of GDP and 1% of employment.

Oil and gas production in California.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, California ranked 8^th in oil production among the 50 states at about 113 million barrels^[1] in 2024. That year, the majority of the state’s oil production is from onshore fields in Kern County, and an estimated 4 – 5%^[2] (about 5 million barrels) was produced in fields offshore Los Angeles and Orange Counties within the state’s jurisdiction. Associated gas is produced with the oil from many fields, and there is gas production alone from some fields, particularly farther north in the state.

In addition, oil and gas are produced from federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) waters offshore California. In general, state waters extend out 3 miles from the state’s coastline, and federal waters are beyond that. The figure on page 2 shows federal OCS offshore production from 1968 through 2022^[3]. Note that production peaked in the mid-1990s and has been falling since. Production decreased notably following the major 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill of 140,000 gallons offshore Gaviota due to a corroded pipeline that the federal government recently ordered to return to service despite the pipeline not meeting previously-agreed upon safety requirements, lack of state and local permitting, court injunctions against re-start without notice and other conditions being met, and other litigation, among other numerous issues. Note additionally that in 2021 the major oil spill of approximately 25,000 gallons off of Huntington Beach from a pipeline in federal waters further decreased federal OCS production to about 2.7 million barrels per year.

Offshore oil and gas production in state and federal waters

According to the State Lands Commission (commission), the Legislature, beginning in 1921 and repeatedly since, has passed laws that exclude offshore areas of the state from oil and gas leasing.

According to the commission, it issued over fifty offshore oil and gas leases between 1938 and 1968. In general, lease terms provide for the leases to remain in effect so long as oil and gas production continues in paying or commercial quantities. When production ceases, a lease should be quitclaimed back to the commission once the infrastructure has been removed and the lease terms satisfied.

In January 1969 – only 2 years after federal OCS leasing began, a blowout occurred on a well drilled from one of the platforms in federal waters off of Santa Barbara which resulted in a spill of approximately 3 – 4 million gallons of crude oil. This spill oiled two hundred square miles of ocean and thirty-five miles of state coastline, and killed thousands of animals. The commission has not issued any new oil and gas leases since. The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill was the largest in the nation until the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

Existing law establishes the commission in the California Natural Resources Agency. The commission has exclusive jurisdiction over ungranted tidelands and submerged lands owned by the state. The commission has had exclusive jurisdiction over the leasing of offshore state lands for oil and gas production since 1938. The commission also issues right-of-way leases for pipelines necessary to support offshore OCS oil and gas infrastructure, and onshore oil and gas infrastructure located in tidelands may also require a commission lease. The powers of the commission as to the leasing or granting of rights or privileges to lands owned by the state may also be conferred upon a local trustee of granted public trust lands to which those lands have been granted.

Existing law establishes the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994 (California Coastal Sanctuary Act)(Public Resources Code (PRC) §§6240 et seq.) which extended the then-California coastal sanctuary and removed the authority of the commission to issue new oil and gas leases for unleased tide and submerged lands underlying the Pacific Ocean with limited exceptions – in the event of an energy supply emergency resulting in certain government actions, as specified, and if a state oil and gas reservoir is being drained from federal waters. Legislative findings state that “offshore oil and gas production in certain areas of state waters poses an unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the marine environment of the state.” (PRC §6241)

There is at least one oil field under both state and federal waters. Tranquillon Ridge is located off Vandenberg Space Base. In the last two decades there have been at least a few attempts to produce that oil using new oil drilling techniques from the state or federal side. These attempts have all generated opposition, and none have ultimately succeeded.

Existing law establishes the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) (43 U.S.C. §§1331 et seq.) defines the OCS as all submerged lands lying between the seaward extent of the state jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction.

The OCSLA declares, among other things, that it is the national policy that the OCS is a vital national resource reserve held by the federal government for the public, which should be made available for expeditious and orderly development, subject to environmental safeguards, in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of competition and other national needs.

There are 30 existing active oil and gas leases under the OCSLA in federal waters offshore California. The leases cover approximately 153,000 acres and include 23 oil and gas platforms and hundreds of miles of pipeline. Of the 23 platforms, 20 are used for oil and gas production, one is used for processing, and two (Gail and Grace) are beginning the process of decommissioning. All 23 of the platforms are located off southern California (primarily offshore Santa Barbara, but also Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties).

The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) is required to prepare, periodically revise, and maintain an oil and gas leasing program that consists of a schedule or proposed lease sales indicating, as precisely as possible, the size, timing, and location of leasing activity that DOI determines will best meet national energy needs for the five-year period following its approval or re-approval.

Priority leasing considerations are provided to areas where the combination of previous experience; local, state and national laws and policies; and expressions of industry interest indicate that potential leasing and development activities could be expected to proceed in an orderly manner.

The federal government imposed a moratorium on new leases in federal waters off of California in 1984. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush prevented leases from being issued in federal OCS waters offshore California and other states for 10 years under the OCSLA. President Bill Clinton extended this freeze through 2012. President George W. Bush, however, terminated the freeze in 2008, but no new leases were subsequently issued. President Barack Obama instituted a moratorium on new leases under the OCSLA from December 2016 through 2022.

However, in January 2018, the Trump Administration announced plans to reopen the then-current federal leasing plan and specifically included all of the California OCS in its initial proposal. Then-DOI Secretary Zinke stated in testimony before the U.S. Senate that he doubted that oil and gas exploration would occur in the Pacific region.

The potential reopening of federal OCS oil and gas leasing off the coast in the first Trump Administration generated considerable immediate resistance in California. Numerous state entities and elected officials, including state legislators, opposed the proposed leasing. The Legislature passed two bills to restrict the commission’s ability to approve new or modify existing state tidelands leases to support new federal OCS leases (SB 834 (Jackson, Chapter 309, Statutes of 2018) and AB 1775 (Muratsuchi, Chapter 310, Statutes of 2018)).

Many factors were cited in opposing renewed oil and gas operations offshore in the federal OCS. These include identified flaws in the process currently being following by federal authorities, insignificant benefit of increased OCS oil and gas production to the state, significant risks to the coastal economy (including to tourism, recreation, and fisheries, among other things), significant risks to the environment (including marine protected areas), and scenic and other values, lack of apparent industry interest, changes to the energy markets, and climate change, among other things.

The efforts during the first Trump Administration to return to offshore federal OCS leasing off California waters eventually failed. The subsequent Biden Administration removed offshore California and the rest of the Pacific coast from future federal OCS oil and gas leasing permanently in January 2025 citing the need to protect the region from the risk of oil spills that would do little to meet the nation’s energy needs. The 2024 – 2029 federal OCS oil and gas leasing program developed during the Biden Administration focused new oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico only.

The second Trump Administration has moved to reverse the January 2025 drilling ban as part of a new 11^th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing program (National OCS Leasing Program). All of the Pacific coast, including six potential sales off the coast of California, has been proposed for inclusion. In addition, citing time constraints, the US Bureau of Ocean Engineering Management (BOEM) has announced it is not preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 2026 – 2031 National OCS Leasing Program, unlike those that had been prepared previously for earlier 5-year programs, and is not intending to provide the public an opportunity to comment on a draft programmatic EIS specific to offshore California leasing^[4].

Similar to previous recent attempts to reopen federal OCS oil and gas leasing offshore California, there is considerable opposition. The commission recently approved a resolution in opposition and Governor Newsom has stated his Administration’s opposition.

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Coastal Sanctuary via the California Coastal Sanctuary Act. (PRC §§6240 et seq.)
   1. Defines the California Coastal Sanctuary to include all state waters subject to tidal influence except those with a lease for the extraction of oil or gas in effect on January 1, 1995, unless the lease reverts to the state after January 1, 1995, and any state waters east of the Carquinez bridges on Interstate 80. (PRC §6242)
   2. Prohibits any state agency or officer from entering into any new lease for the extraction of oil or gas from the California Coastal Sanctuary unless certain limited conditions are met. (PRC §6243)
   3. Authorizes the commission to enter into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owner tide and submerged lands in the California Coastal Sanctuary if commission determines that those oil or gas deposits are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interests of the state. (PRC §6244)
2. Establishes the commission in the California Natural Resources Agency. (PRC §6101)
3. Defines, pursuant to the federal OCSLA, the OCS as all submerged lands lying between the seaward extent of the state jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction. (43 United States Code §§1331 et seq.)
4. Provides the commission with exclusive jurisdiction over all ungranted tidelands and submerged lands owned by the state which have been or may be acquired by the state, as provided. All jurisdiction and authority remaining in the state as to tidelands and submerged lands as to which grants have been or may be made is vested in the commission. (PRC §6301)
5. Prohibits the commission or a local trustee from entering into any new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018, with limited exceptions. (PRC §6245)
6. Requires the commission or local trustee, prior to approving any lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification to authorize new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific OCS  leases issued after January 1, 2018,  to consider whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment,  or modification is necessary to protect the marine environment or to ensure human health and safety; and other factors, as provided. (PRC §6245)
7. Authorizes the commission, in considering whether the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit, to consider whether a proposed assignee is likely to comply with the terms of the lease or permit, as provided. (PRC §6804)

PROPOSED LAW

This bill would:

1. Delete from the California Coastal Sanctuary Act the provision that authorizes the commission to enter into a lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands if the commission determines that those oil and gas deposits are being drained by producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interests of the state.
2. Prohibit the use of leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters to be used to support Pacific OCS leases issued after January 1, 2026, except as provided.
3. Add an application for a lease assignment for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018, to existing commission or local trustee public notice requirements, as provided.
   1. Remove the requirement that the application is to authorize only new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure.
   2. Require the commission or local trustee to take no further action to approve the requested lease assignment until 180 days after public notification, as provided.
4. Add lease assignment to the existing process the commission or local trustee undertake before approving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification for oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018. Remove the requirement that the application is to authorize new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure. Require the commission or local trustee to additionally consider, at a minimum:
   1. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification may impact public trust resources and values.
   2. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is for, or connected to, infrastructure that has experienced a reportable incident, such as an oil spill.
   3. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is related to the use of well stimulation treatments, extended reach drilling and production, horizontal drilling and production, or other unconventional drilling and production techniques for resource extraction.
   4. Whether the operator has provided finalized certificates of financial responsibility obtained from the Office of Spill Prevention and Response and has provided financial assurances required for decommissioning, as specified.
5. Prohibit the approval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification that will increase the volume of oil and gas conveyed across state waters, including by commencing, increasing, intensifying, or restarting production from the Pacific OCS at the same properly noticed public meeting it is first presented at. Require the commission or local trustee to accept public comments.at the meeting it votes to approve or disapprove the lease assignment.
6. Require that the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit is in the best interest of the state, as provided.
7. Make various technical changes, and require reimbursement to a local agency or school district if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this bill contains costs mandated by the state, as specified.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT

According to the author, “Despite the hard-learned lessons from devastating oil spills, threats to our coast continue. Assembly Bill 1448 will protect our precious coast by strengthening environmental protections and safety requirements for offshore drilling activities. The bill prohibits the use of existing infrastructure to support new federal offshore development, closes a gap in the existing ban on offshore drilling in state waters, and requires the State Lands Commission to consider additional environmental and safety factors when renewing leases or allowing transfers. AB 1448 ensures that our marine resources and coastal communities are protected against efforts to expand offshore oil drilling. We must do everything we can to protect our coast.”

E2 adds “[AB 1448] strengthens transparency, improves accountability, and protects the coastal economy from risks that businesses cannot afford. […] A clean coast is not only an environmental priority, it is our economic engine.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION

Writing in opposition, the State Building and Construction Trades Council states, “On the heels of several recent policy decisions that have led to the announced closures of two additional refineries in California, this bill seeks to cut off yet another source of domestic crude oil for our in-state refineries. Simply put, California and every Californian cannot afford this bill or policies like it, making it increasingly difficult and prohibitively expensive to operate refineries in-state.”

“Californians are already struggling with an ever-increasing cost of living. Every additional refinery closure will lead to thousands of job losses and millions of dollars in revenue lost from essential state programs, result in a sharp increase in costs for every Californians. The Legislature has prioritized moving policies that lower consumer costs, diminish costs to the state, and keep California refineries viable until they are no longer needed., This bill, which carries legal liability in the billions, is antithetical to those goals.”

COMMENTS

Rule 29.10b. This bill was substantially amended on the Senate floor and returned to this Committee for rehearing under Senate Rule 29.10b. Under that rule, the Committee cannot amend the bill, but can make recommendations for amendments to the author.

Federal offshore oil proposal may threaten military readiness. According to a May 22, 2026 report in the Washington Post, the initially proposed offshore oil leasing areas by the Trump Administration overlap with critical US military training and operations areas off both the California and Gulf of Mexico coasts. The final proposals have not yet been released.

BOEM taking steps to rescind additional offshore bonding requirements. In February 2024, the US Government Accountability Office released a report that found that the DOI needed to improve offshore OCS decommissioning enforcement and mitigate related risks. It found that the DOI held only about $3.5 billion in bonds against about $40 - $70 billion of potential decommissioning costs. BOEM recently announced that the additional bonding requirements imposed following the study would be rescinded.

Fracking in federal waters offshore California. In March 2026, BOEM issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for a proposed update to the Santa Clara Unit development and production plan, which would include the use of hydraulic fracturing of 16 existing wells at Platform Gilda (offshore Ventura County). Onshore and offshore in state waters fracking of oil and gas wells is illegal in California. At least one previous EIS for an offshore California OCS lease was found by a court to treat fracking inadequately.

Sable Offshore. On March 13, 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order delegating authority to the Secretary of the US Department of Energy to invoke the Defense Production Act in the event of an energy emergency, among other provisions. Secretary Wright subsequently ordered the Santa Ynez Unit offshore California to restart production, including using the pipeline that was the source of the 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill. The ability to restart production by Sable Offshore was already the subject of litigation between multiple state and federal entities, environmental advocates, and Sable Offshore. Subsequently to Secretary Wright’s actions, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) rejected Sable Offshore’s application to use pipeline placed through Gaviota State Park and ordered Sable Offshore to “immediately remove” the pipeline. On March 16, 2026, the commission voted to join litigation against the Executive Order and to consider taking action to terminate its leases that Sable Offshore operates under. On March 19, 2026, the California Coastal Commission wrote a letter to Sable Offshore stating that it needed a coastal development permit to re-start the pipeline and that its actions to re-start the pipeline were likely in violation of two separate court injunctions.

In late May, a federal judge rejected State Parks’ request for a preliminary injunction.

According to news reports, Sable Offshore plans to produce up to 50,000 barrels of oil per day.

A Note on the Letters. As noted above, this bill was substantially amended – but not gut-and-amended – on the Senate floor, and the bill’s general intent remains largely unchanged from previous versions. In view of this, support and opposition were retained from previous bill versions. While virtually all of the listed supporters have reaffirmed their support with recent letters, only the State Building and Construction Trades Council has reaffirmed its opposition.

Recent related legislation

SJR 12 (Laird, 2026) would declare the Legislature’s strong and unequivocal opposition to the proposed leasing of federal lands offshore California for oil and gas development given the risks to coastal resources, recreation and economy, and the Legislature’s commitment to take action to maintain the existing prohibition on new federal leasing; and request the BOEM hold public meetings in the state in advance of any proposed leasing to receive input and prepare an appropriate environmental document for the proposed leasing, among other provisions. (This resolution is pending hearing before the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.)

SB 542 (Limón, 2025) would prohibit the restart of an existing oil pipeline that has not been in use for five or more years from being restarted without a hydro test in order to reduce the risk of an oil spill upon returning to service, among other provisions. (This bill is on the inactive file on the Assembly floor.)

SB 237 (Grayson, Chapter 118, Statutes of 2025), among other provisions, requires the Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response to update its requirements for facilities, including pipelines, updates oil pipeline requirements, and clarifies the California Coastal Commission’s authority over oil development in the coastal zone.

SJR 12 (Min, Chapter 174, Resolutions of 2024) urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to modify bankruptcy rules to provide, in the event of liquidation and termination of oil and gas leases under the United States Bankruptcy Code, that priority is given to plug and abandonment and restoration obligations, to protect the environment, over all secured creditor claims.

SB 559 (Min, 2023) would have required the commission to terminate its leases that authorize oil and gas production in state waters if voluntary relinquishment cannot be negotiated, including the payment of fair compensation, as provided. (This bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.)

SB 1030 (Limón, 2022) would have revised provisions of the Elder California Pipeline Safety Act of 1981 by removing an exemption from the definition of "pipeline," authorizing the State Fire Marshal to require the operator of a pipeline to maintain records, make reports, and provide information, as specified, and would have authorized the State Fire Marshal to disclose certain records, as provided, among other provisions. (This bill was placed on the inactive file on the Assembly floor.)

SB 704 (Min, Chapter 292, Statutes of 2023) removes oil and gas production from the coastal industrial use override provisions in the California Coastal Act.

SB 953 (Min, 2022) would have required the commission to terminate its leases that authorize oil and gas production in state waters if voluntary relinquishment could not be negotiated, including the payment of fair compensation, as specified. (This bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.)

AB 585 (Limón, Chapter 123, Statutes of 2019) authorizes the commission, when considering the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublet of an oil and gas lease, to consider whether a proposed assignee is likely to comply with the provisions of the assigned, transferred, or sublet lease for the duration of the lease term, among other requirements.

SB 834 (Jackson, Chapter 309, Statutes of 2018) bars the commission from issuing new leases or amending or renewing existing leases to facilitate oil or gas exploration, development, and production for new leases in federal waters.

AB 1775 (Muratsuchi, Chapter 310, Statutes of 2018) bars the commission from issuing new leases or amending or renewing existing leases to facilitate oil or gas exploration, development, and production for new leases in federal waters.

SB 788 (McGuire, 2015) would have removed the drainage exception – if federal leases are draining a state-owned oil and gas pool – to the California Coastal Sanctuary Act so the commission could no longer issue new leases in that instance. (This bill was held on the Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file.)

SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS: none

SUPPORT

Center for Biological Diversity (co-sponsor)

Environmental Defense Center (co-sponsor)

Oceana (co-sponsor)

7^th Generation Advisors

350 Bay Area Action

350 Hawaii

350 Humboldt

350 Sacramento

350 Santa Barbara

417 Poplar, LLC

Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment

Amazon Watch

Amy Jeske Homes, Inc.

Animals Are Sentient Beings, Inc.

Azul

Ban SUP (Single Use Plastics)

Between the Waters

Bixby Residential

Border Grill Restaurants and Truck

Burea, Inc.

Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast

California Coastal Protection Network

California Coastkeeper Alliance

California Environmental Voters

California Land Watch

California Legislative Central Coast Caucus

California Marine Sanctuary Foundation

California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice

California Outdoor Recreation Partnership

Center for Environmental Health

Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment

Cerca Cultivation

Charlie Hong Kong

Citizens Planning Association

City of Goleta

CleanEarth4Kids.org

Clean Water Action

Climate Action California

Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas

Climate Hawks Vote

Climate Health Now Action Fund

Climate Reality Project, San Diego

Central Coast Climate Justice Network

CLUE-SB Environmental Justice Group

Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation

Contra Costa MoveOn

Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching

Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action

Defenders of Wildlife

E2

Earthwell Refill

Elected Officials to Protect America Code Blue

Environmental Law Club at UCSB

Environmental Action Committee of West Marin

Environmental Center of San Diego

Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)

EOPA Code Blue

Families Advocating for Chemical and Tech Safety (FACTS)

Field + Form

Fish On

Food & Water Watch

Friends Committee on Legislation of California

Friends of the Earth

FutureSwell

Get Oil Out!

Greenpeace USA

GreenLatinos

Green Policy Initiative

Groundzero

Heal the Bay

Heal the Ocean

Hubble Daily Architecture + Design

Humboldt Waterkeeper

Indivisible CA Green Team

Indivisible Santa Cruz County, Environmental Issues Team

International Marine Mammal Project, Earth Island Institute

Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy

Los Angeles Waterkeeper

Los Padres ForestWatch

Mako Strategies

Media Alliance

Mercury Press, Inc.

Midsomman, LLC

Modo Yoga San Diego

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Waterkeeper

My Zero Waste Store

Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club

Natural Resources Defense Council

North American Climate Conservation and Environment (NACCE)

Ocean Conservation Research

Oil and Gas Action Network

Orange County Coastkeeper

Pacific Catch

Pacific Coast Hidaway, LLC

Paddle for Peace

Page Events

Patagonia

Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network

Physicians for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles

Physicians for Social Responsibility, San Francisco Bay Chapter

Progressives for Climate

Project Kolika

Protect Ballona Wetlands

PuraVida Surf Shop, Inc.

Quabajai Coastal Chumash Keeper of the Western Gate

Resources Renewal Institute

Root Utility Netwwork

Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples

Salt + Noelle

San Diego 350

San Diego Coastkeeper

San Francisco Baykeeper

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Santa Barbara County Action Network

Santa Barbara Sportfishing

Santa Cruz Waves

Save Our Shores

Sea Forager

Sereia

Sierra Club California

Sierra Club, Santa Barbara Group

Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter (San Luis Obispo County)

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas in California

SoCal 350 Climate Action

Society of Fearless Grandmothers of Santa Barbara

Soichi Sushi

Solano County Democratic Central Committee

Stardust Sportfishing

Sunflower Alliance

Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider Foundation – Isla Vista Club

Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter

Sustainable Rossmoor

The Climate Center

The Fund for Santa Barbara

The Green Room

The Refill Shoppe

Third Act SoCal

Transformative Wealth Management

Turtle Island Restoration Network

UCSB Environmental Affairs Board

United Nations Association – California

Ventura Coastkeeper

Vote Solar

West Coast Paddle Sports

Wild Beacon Consulting

Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation

Zero Hour

Hundreds of individuals

OPPOSITION

Central Valley Business Federation

IEEP

Kern Citizens of Energy

Kern County Economic Development Corporation

Kern County Taxpayers Association

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Los Angeles County Business Federation

Sable Offshore Corporation

SAGE Monterey

Santa Maria Valley Chamber

SBCTAC

SLO COLAB

South County Chamber

State Building and Construction Trades Council

Tri-County Chamber Alliance

VC Taxpayers Association

-- END --

1. Oil production data from Geologic Energy Management Division within the Department of Conservation (CalGEM). ↑

2. Given the limitations of the public version of WellSTAR and late CalGEM summary reports, the fraction of offshore state production for 2024 was estimated from known 2022 and 2023 data. ↑

3. Data from CalGEM and the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). 2022 is the most recent year with verifiable data available. ↑

4. BOEM recently announced a Notice of Intent to prepare the programmatic EIS (PEIS). Due to cited time limitations, BOEM announced that the comment period for both the NOI and the PEIS would be combined. ↑

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1448

Author: Hart (D), et al.

Amended: 4/28/26 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 4-3, 7/8/25

AYES: Limón, Allen, Laird, Stern

NOES: Seyarto, Grove, Hurtado

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-2, 8/29/25

AYES: Caballero, Cabaldon, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

NOES: Seyarto, Dahle

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Coastal resources: California Coastal Sanctuary: tidelands and submerged lands: oil and gas development

SOURCE: Center for Biological Diversity

Environmental Defense Center

DIGEST:

This bill expands upon existing requirements for the transfer or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases to include lease assignments, prohibits leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands from being used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, and removes the exception authorizing new oil- and gas-leasing in state waters within the California Coastal Sanctuary if state oil deposits are being drained from wells on federal lands, as provided.

Senate Floor Amendments of 4/28/26 remove all provisions within the California Coastal Act of 1976, add the prohibition on leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands from being used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, and remove the exception authorizing new oil- and gas-leasing in state waters within the California Coastal Sanctuary if state oil deposits are being drained from wells on federal lands, and make other related and conforming changes, including requiring reimbursement for state mandated costs, as provided.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Coastal Sanctuary via the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994. (California Coastal Sanctuary Act, Public Resources Code (PRC) §§6240 et seq.)
   1. Defines the California Coastal Sanctuary to include all state waters subject to tidal influence except those with a lease for the extraction of oil or gas in effect on January 1, 1995, unless the lease reverts to the state after January 1, 1995, and any state waters east of the Carquinez bridges on Interstate 80. (PRC §6242)
   2. Prohibits any state agency or officer to enter into any new lease for the extraction of oil or gas from the California Coastal Sanctuary unless certain limited conditions are met. (PRC §6243)
   3. Authorizes the State Lands Commission to enter into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owner tide and submerged lands in the California Coastal Sanctuary if the State Lands Commission determines that those oil or gas deposits are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interests of the state. (PRC §6244)
2. Establishes the State Lands Commission in the California Natural Resources Agency. (PRC §6101)
3. Defines, pursuant to the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the outer continental shelf (OCS) as all submerged lands lying between the seaward extent of the state jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction. (43 United States Code §§1331 et seq.)
4. Provides the State Lands Commission with exclusive jurisdiction over all ungranted tidelands and submerged lands owned by the state which have been or may be acquired by the state, as provided. All jurisdiction and authority remaining in the state as to tidelands and submerged lands as to which grants have been or may be made is vested in the State Lands Commission. (PRC §6301)
5. Prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee from entering into any new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018, with limited exceptions. (PRC §6245)
6. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee, prior to approving any lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification to authorize new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018,  to consider whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment,  or modification is necessary to protect the marine environment or to ensure human health and safety; and other factors, as provided. (PRC §6245)
7. Authorizes the State Lands Commission, in considering whether the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit, to consider whether a proposed assignee is likely to comply with the terms of the lease or permit, as provided. (PRC §6804)

This bill:

1. Deletes from the California Coastal Sanctuary Act the provision that authorizes the State Lands Commission to enter into a lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands if the State Lands Commission determines that those oil and gas deposits are being drained by producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interests of the state.
2. Prohibits the use of leases and oil- and gas-related infrastructure located upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters to be used to support Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026, except as provided.
3. Adds an application for a lease assignment for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to existing State Lands Commission or local trustee public notice requirements, as provided.
   1. Removes the requirement that the application is to authorize only new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure.
   2. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to take no further action to approve the requested lease assignment until 180 days after public notification, as provided.
4. Adds lease assignment to the existing process the State Lands Commission or local trustee undertake before approving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification for oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. Removes the requirement that the application is to authorize new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to additionally consider, at a minimum:
   1. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification may impact public trust resources and values.
   2. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is for, or connected to, infrastructure that has experienced a reportable incident, such as an oil spill.
   3. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is related to the use of well stimulation treatments, extended reach drilling and production, horizontal drilling and production, or other unconventional drilling and production techniques for resource extraction.
   4. Whether the operator has provided finalized certificates of financial responsibility obtained from OSPR and has provided financial assurances required for decommissioning, as specified.
5. Prohibits the approval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification that will increase the volume of oil and gas conveyed across state waters, including by commencing, increasing, intensifying, or restarting production from the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf at the same properly noticed public meeting it is first presented at. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to accept public comments.at the meeting it votes to approve or disapprove the lease assignment.
6. Requires that the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit is in the best interest of the state, as provided.
7. Makes various technical changes, and requires reimbursement to a local agency or school district if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this bill contains costs mandated by the state, as specified.

Comments

The letters in support and opposition to this bill were submitted for a previous version of this bill.

[NOTE: See the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee analysis for additional information.]

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee to a previous version of the bill:

• Potential loss in annual rental revenue of an unknown amount, potentially in excess of $150,000, from offshore oil- and gas-related infrastructure leases to the extent the State Lands Commission (SLC) or a local trustee denies one or more applications for a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, as a result of the bill’s requirements and conditions (General Fund). SLC collected approximately $949,000 in rental revenue from its approximately one dozen pipeline right-of-way leases in fiscal year 2023-24.
• By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, and by imposing additional duties on a local government with a certified LCP in processing and reviewing an application for a CDP, this bill imposes a state-mandated local program. These costs are potentially reimbursable by the state, subject to a determination by the Commission on State Mandates (General Fund).

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/28/26)

Center for Biological Diversity (co-source)

Environmental Defense Center (co-source)

7th Generation Advisors

350 Bay Area Action

350 Humboldt

350 Santa Barbara

Azul

Ballona Wetlands Institute

Ban SUP (Single Use Plastics)

Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast

California Coastal Protection Network

California Democratic Party

California Environmental Voters

California Legislative Central Coast Caucus

Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment

Central Coast Climate Justice Network

Citizens Planning Association

City of Goleta

CleanEarth4Kids.org

Clean Water Action

Climate Action California

Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas

Climate Hawks Vote

Climate Reality Project, San Diego

CLUE-SB Environmental Justice Group

Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation

Coastal Lands Action Network

Defend Ballona Wetlands

Defenders of Wildlife

Elected Officials to Protect America Code Blue

Environmental Law Club at UCSB

Environmental Action Committee of West Marin

Food & Water Watch

Friends Committee on Legislation of California

Friends of the Earth

Get Oil Out!

Green Policy Initiative

Indivisible CA Green Team

International Marine Mammal Project, Earth Island Institute

Los Padres ForestWatch

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Natural Resources Defense Council

Ocean Conservation Research

Oceana

Oil and Gas Action Network

Patagonia

Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network

Physicians for Social Responsibility, San Francisco Bay Chapter

Progressive Democrats of America

Quabajai Coastal Chumash Keeper of the Western Gate

Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples

San Diego 350

San Francisco Baykeeper

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Santa Barbara County Action Network

Save Our Shores

Sierra Club California

Sierra Club, Santa Barbara Group

Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter (San Luis Obispo County)

SoCal 350 Climate Action

Society of Fearless Grandmothers of Santa Barbara

Solano County Democratic Central Committee

Sunflower Alliance

Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter

Surfrider Foundation, San Luis Obispo

The Climate Center

UCSB Environmental Affairs Board

Ventura Coastkeeper

Vote Solar

WILDCOAST

Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/28/26)

California Independent Petroleum Association

Central Valley Business Federation

IEEP

Kern Citizens of Energy

Kern County Economic Development Corporation

Kern County Taxpayers Association

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Los Angeles County Business Federation

Sable Offshore Corporation

SAGE Monterey

Santa Maria Valley Chamber

SBCTAC

SLO COLAB

South County Chamber

State Building and Construction Trades Council of California

Tri-County Chamber Alliance

VC Taxpayers Association

Western States Petroleum Associat

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “AB 1448 aims to enhance the California State Lands Commission’s authority to protect designated lands from the expansion of oil- and gas- related infrastructure.”

In a joint sign-on letter, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Environmental Defense Center write, “AB1448 will safeguard our coast against federal attempts to unlawfully open federal waters to new oil leasing off California. The Trump Administration has pledged to drill everywhere and will undoubtedly seek to expand Pacific offshore drilling. Current gaps in state law leave untoward paths for federal oil expansion through existing infrastructure in state waters. AB1448 takes a firm stand against efforts to expand drilling off our coast, to protect against associated risks to California interests.

Moreover, AB1448 addresses the need to prevent aging infrastructure from expanded or prolonged use when it should be retired. Offshore oil infrastructure has outlived its lifespan and presents significant risks. This bill requires strict environmental considerations for the reactivation of oil projects that have been shut down. Recent oil spills off our coast are stark reminders of the need to decommission — not restart — antiquated infrastructure.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) in a joint sign-on letter writes, “We believe that AB 1448 would significantly expand regulatory barriers on offshore oil and gas operations, particularly within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leases. While we support reasonable environmental safeguards, this bill overreaches by broadening the scope of activities requiring new approvals, introducing operational uncertainty, and discouraging investment in California’s existing offshore infrastructure.”

WSPA continues that “A major concern is the bill’s extension to lease assignments,” and additionally expresses concern over the broader definition of “expanded oil and gas development,” and the fiscal implications of the potential loss of revenues to the state and local jurisdictions from offshore oil and gas production, among other concerns.”

The State Building and Construction Trades Council cites concerns that “this bill seeks to cut off yet another source of domestic crude oil to our in-state refineries,” and argue that this bill makes “it increasingly difficult and prohibitively expensive to operate refineries in-state.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25

AYES: Addis, Ahrens, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Connolly, Elhawary, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Papan, Pellerin, Celeste Rodriguez, Rogers, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Stefani, Ward, Wicks, Zbur, Rivas

NOES: Alanis, Ávila Farías, Bains, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, DeMaio, Dixon, Ellis, Flora, Gallagher, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Hadwick, Hoover, Lackey, Macedo, Patterson, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Wallis

NO VOTE RECORDED: Aguiar-Curry, Alvarez, Davies, Nguyen, Pacheco, Patel, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Valencia, Wilson

Prepared by: Katharine Moore / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

4/29/26 16:22:11

**** END ****

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1448

Author: Hart (D), et al.

Amended: 9/5/25 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 4-3, 7/8/25

AYES: Limón, Allen, Laird, Stern

NOES: Seyarto, Grove, Hurtado

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-2, 8/29/25

AYES: Caballero, Cabaldon, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

NOES: Seyarto, Dahle

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Coastal resources: oil and gas development

SOURCE: Center for Biological Diversity

Environmental Defense Center

DIGEST:

This bill expands upon existing requirements for the transfer or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases to include lease assignments, and requires a new coastal development permit (CDP) be obtained for the repair, reactivation, or maintenance of an oil pipeline or oil and gas facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for five or more years, as provided, among other provisions.

Senate Floor Amendments of 9/5/25 clarify the definition of “expanded oil extraction,” and “facility” and make a technical change.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Coastal Commission (Coastal Commission), pursuant to the California Coastal Act of 1976 (Coastal Act)(Public Resources Code (PRC) §§30000 et seq.), and the State Lands Commission in the California Natural Resources Agency. (Public Resources Code (PRC) §30300, §6101)
2. Defines, pursuant to the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the outer continental shelf (OCS) as all submerged lands lying between the seaward extent of the state jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction. (43 United States Code §§1331 et seq.)
3. Provides the State Lands Commission with exclusive jurisdiction over all ungranted tidelands and submerged lands owned by the state which have been or may be acquired by the state, as provided. All jurisdiction and authority remaining in the state as to tidelands and submerged lands as to which grants have been or may be made is vested in the State Lands Commission. (PRC §6301)
4. Prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee from entering into any new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018, with limited exceptions. (PRC §6245)
5. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee, prior to approving any lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification to authorize new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018,  to consider whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment,  or modification is necessary to protect the marine environment or to ensure human health and safety; and other factors, as provided. (PRC §6245)
6. Authorizes the State Lands Commission, in considering whether the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit, to consider whether a proposed assignee is likely to comply with the terms of the lease or permit, as provided. (PRC §6804)
7. Prohibits new or expanded oil and gas development from being considered a coastal-dependent industrial facility, and may be permitted only if found to be consistent with all applicable provisions and if all of the specified following conditions are met. (PRC §30262)
8. Requires all oil produced offshore California to be transported onshore by pipeline only. Requires the pipelines used to transport this oil to use the best achievable technology to ensure maximum protection of public health and safety and of the integrity and productivity of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. (PRC §30262 (a)(5)(A))

This bill:

1. Adds an application for a lease assignment for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to existing State Lands Commission or local trustee public notice requirements, as provided.
   1. Removes the requirement that the application is to authorize only new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure.
   2. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to take no further action to approve the requested lease assignment until 180 days after public notification, as provided.
2. Adds lease assignment to the existing process the State Lands Commission or local trustee undertake before approving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification for oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. Removes the requirement that the application is to authorize new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to additionally consider, at a minimum:
   1. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification may impact public trust resources and values.
   2. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is for, or connected to, infrastructure that has experienced a reportable incident, such as an oil spill.
   3. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is related to the use of well stimulation treatments, extended reach drilling and production, horizontal drilling and production, or other unconventional drilling and production techniques for resource extraction.
   4. Whether the operator has provided finalized certificates of financial responsibility obtained from OSPR and has provided financial assurances required for decommissioning, as specified.
3. Prohibits the approval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification that will increase the volume of oil and gas conveyed across state waters, including by commencing, increasing, intensifying, or restarting production from the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf at the same properly noticed public meeting it is first presented at. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to accept public comments.at the meeting it votes to approve or disapprove the lease assignment. Requires that the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit is in the best interest of the state, as provided.
4. Clarifies in the Coastal Act that oil onshore is transported by pipeline that uses the best available technology, as specified. Expands the Coastal Act definition of “expanded oil extraction” to include the reactivation of a facility idled, inactive, or out of service for more than five years, or an increase in oil extraction from the use of hydraulic fracturing, extended reach drilling, acidization, or other unconventional technologies, as provided. Prohibits the transport of oil over land by other methods, as provided.
5. Clarifies in the Coastal Act that the repair, reactivation, and maintenance of an oil and gas facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for five years or more is considered a new or expanded development requiring a new CDP. Clarifies in the Coastal Act that development associated with the repair, reactivation, or maintenance of an oil pipeline that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for five years or more requires a new CDP, as provided.
6. Requires the Coastal Commission or local government with a certified local coastal program to review and approve, modify, condition, or deny the CDP, as provided.
7. Makes various technical changes, and provides that no reimbursement is required to a local agency or school district, except in specified circumstances.

[NOTE: See the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee analysis for additional information.]

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• Potential loss in annual rental revenue of an unknown amount, potentially in excess of $150,000, from offshore oil- and gas-related infrastructure leases to the extent the State Lands Commission (SLC) or a local trustee denies one or more applications for a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, as a result of the bill’s requirements and conditions (General Fund). SLC collected approximately $949,000 in rental revenue from its approximately one dozen pipeline right-of-way leases in fiscal year 2023-24.
• By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, and by imposing additional duties on a local government with a certified LCP in processing and reviewing an application for a CDP, this bill imposes a state-mandated local program. These costs are potentially reimbursable by the state, subject to a determination by the Commission on State Mandates (General Fund).

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/29/25)

Center for Biological Diversity (co-source)

Environmental Defense Center (co-source)

7th Generation Advisors

350 Bay Area Action

350 Humboldt

350 Santa Barbara

Azul

Ballona Wetlands Institute

Ban SUP (Single Use Plastics)

Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast

California Coastal Protection Network

California Environmental Voters

California Legislative Central Coast Caucus

Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment

Central Coast Climate Justice Network

Citizens Planning Association

City of Goleta

CleanEarth4Kids.org

Clean Water Action

Climate Action California

Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas

Climate Hawks Vote

Climate Reality Project, San Diego

CLUE-SB Environmental Justice Group

Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation

Coastal Lands Action Network

Defend Ballona Wetlands

Defenders of Wildlife

Elected Officials to Protect America Code Blue

Environmental Law Club at UCSB

Environmental Action Committee of West Marin

Food & Water Watch

Friends Committee on Legislation of California

Friends of the Earth

Get Oil Out!

Green Policy Initiative

Indivisible CA Green Team

International Marine Mammal Project, Earth Island Institute

Los Padres ForestWatch

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Natural Resources Defense Council

Ocean Conservation Research

Oceana

Oil and Gas Action Network

Patagonia

Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network

Physicians for Social Responsibility, San Francisco Bay Chapter

Progressive Democrats of America

Quabajai Coastal Chumash Keeper of the Western Gate

Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples

San Diego 350

San Francisco Baykeeper

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Santa Barbara County Action Network

Save Our Shores

Sierra Club California

Sierra Club, Santa Barbara Group

Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter (San Luis Obispo County)

SoCal 350 Climate Action

Society of Fearless Grandmothers of Santa Barbara

Solano County Democratic Central Committee

Sunflower Alliance

Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter

Surfrider Foundation, San Luis Obispo

The Climate Center

UCSB Environmental Affairs Board

Ventura Coastkeeper

Vote Solar

WILDCOAST

Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/29/25)

California Independent Petroleum Association

Central Valley Business Federation

DCOR, LLC

IEEP

Kern Citizens of Energy

Kern County Economic Development Corporation

Kern County Taxpayers Association

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Los Angeles County Business Federation

Sable Offshore Corporation

SAGE Monterey

Santa Maria Valley Chamber

SBCTAC

SLO COLAB

South County Chamber

State Building and Construction Trades Council of California

Tri-County Chamber Alliance

VC Taxpayers Association

Western States Petroleum Association

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “AB 1448 aims to enhance the California State Lands Commission’s authority to protect designated lands from the expansion of oil- and gas- related infrastructure. This bill requires additional environmental and safety factors to be considered by the Commission before making any changes to existing leases […].”

“Furthermore, AB 1448 does not create new permitting requirements under the Coastal Act- the Coastal Commission has been regulating oil and gas development for 50 years. The bill simply confirms and clarifies which regulatory pathway applies to a previously idled oil and gas facility, including pipelines, under the Coastal Act.”

“Until 2023, the Coastal Commission authorized a wide variety of oil and gas-related development. Under PRC Section 30260, the Commission could make special allowances to allow coastal-dependent industrial uses (including offshore oil and gas facilities and pipelines) to go forward.”

“In 2023, SB 704 (Min, Ch. 292, Stats. 2023) amended PRC Section 30262 to require all new or expanded oil and gas development to fully comply with all Chapter 3 policies of the Coastal Act, while still allowing for some types of repair and maintenance to be considered under the more lenient PRC Section 30260.

However, SB 704 did not consider which regulatory pathway would apply to repair, maintenance or reactivation of previously idled oil and gas facilities. AB 1448 clarifies that question by specifying that the repair, maintenance, and restart of an idled oil and gas facility, including pipelines, and all associated development activities require a coastal development permit consistent with PRC Section 30262, as opposed to PRC Section 30260. AB 1448 builds on the policy established in SB 704 by eliminating confusion about what regulatory standards apply to the permitting of idled oil and gas facilities in the coastal zone.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) in a joint sign-on letter writes, “We believe that AB 1448 would significantly expand regulatory barriers on offshore oil and gas operations, particularly within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leases. While we support reasonable environmental safeguards, this bill overreaches by broadening the scope of activities requiring new approvals, introducing operational uncertainty, and discouraging investment in California’s existing offshore infrastructure.”

WSPA continues that “A major concern is the bill’s extension to lease assignments,” and additionally expresses concern over the broader definition of “expanded oil and gas development,” and the fiscal implications of the potential loss of revenues to the state and local jurisdictions from offshore oil and gas production, among other concerns.”

The State Building and Construction Trades Council cites concerns that “this bill seeks to cut off yet another source of domestic crude oil to our in-state refineries,” and argue that this bill makes “it increasingly difficult and prohibitively expensive to operate refineries in-state.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25

AYES: Addis, Ahrens, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Connolly, Elhawary, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Papan, Pellerin, Celeste Rodriguez, Rogers, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Stefani, Ward, Wicks, Zbur, Rivas

NOES: Alanis, Ávila Farías, Bains, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, DeMaio, Dixon, Ellis, Flora, Gallagher, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Hadwick, Hoover, Lackey, Macedo, Patterson, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Wallis

NO VOTE RECORDED: Aguiar-Curry, Alvarez, Davies, Nguyen, Pacheco, Patel, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Valencia, Wilson

Prepared by: Katharine Moore / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

9/8/25 21:44:05

**** END ****

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1448

Author: Hart (D), et al.

Amended: 8/29/25 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 4-3, 7/8/25

AYES: Limón, Allen, Laird, Stern

NOES: Seyarto, Grove, Hurtado

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-2, 8/29/25

AYES: Caballero, Cabaldon, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

NOES: Seyarto, Dahle

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Coastal resources: oil and gas development

SOURCE: Center for Biological Diversity

Environmental Defense Center

DIGEST:

This bill expands upon existing requirements for the transfer or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases to include lease assignments, and requires a new coastal development permit (CDP) be obtained for the repair, reactivation, or maintenance of an oil pipeline or oil and gas facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for five or more years, as provided, among other provisions.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Coastal Commission (Coastal Commission), pursuant to the California Coastal Act of 1976 (Coastal Act)(Public Resources Code (PRC) §§30000 et seq.), and the State Lands Commission in the California Natural Resources Agency. (PRC §30300, §6101)
2. Defines, pursuant to the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the outer continental shelf (OCS) as all submerged lands lying between the seaward extent of the state jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction. (43 United States Code §§1331 et seq.)
3. Provides the State Lands Commission with exclusive jurisdiction over all ungranted tidelands and submerged lands owned by the state, and of the beds of navigable rivers, streams, lakes, bays, estuaries, inlets, and straits, including tidelands and submerged lands or any interest therein, whether within or beyond the boundaries of the state as established by law, which have been or may be acquired by the state, as provided. All jurisdiction and authority remaining in the state as to tidelands and submerged lands as to which grants have been or may be made is vested in the State Lands Commission. (PRC §6301)
4. Prohibits the State Lands Commission or a local trustee from entering into any new lease or other conveyance authorizing new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with OCS leases issued after January 1, 2018, with limited exceptions. (PRC §6245)
5. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee, prior to approving any lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification to authorize new construction of oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018,  to consider whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment,  or modification is necessary to protect the marine environment or to ensure human health and safety; whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment,  or modification provides a benefit to the state beyond additional lease revenues; and, whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment,  or modification will impact the volume of oil and gas that may be transported across state waters. (PRC §6245)
6. Authorizes the State Lands Commission, in considering whether the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit, to consider whether a proposed assignee is likely to comply with the terms of the lease or permit for the duration of both the primary term of the original lease or permit and any extended term of the lease because of production, as determined by specified factors. (PRC §6804)
7. Prohibits new or expanded oil and gas development from being considered a coastal-dependent industrial facility, and may be permitted only if found to be consistent with all applicable provisions and if all of the specified following conditions are met. (PRC §30262)
8. Requires all oil produced offshore California to be transported onshore by pipeline only. Requires the pipelines used to transport this oil to use the best achievable technology to ensure maximum protection of public health and safety and of the integrity and productivity of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. (PRC §30262 (a)(5)(A))
9. Defines “expanded oil extraction” as an increase in the geographic extent of existing leases or units, including lease boundary adjustments, or an increase in the number of well heads, on or after January 1, 2003. (PRC §30262 (a)(5)(C)(iii))
10. Authorizes repair and maintenance of an existing oil and gas facility to be permitted only if it does not result in expansion of capacity of the oil and gas facility, and if certain conditions are met. (PRC §30262)

This bill:

1. Adds an application for a lease assignment for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018, to existing State Lands Commission or local trustee public notice requirements, as provided.
   1. Removes the requirement that the application is to authorize only new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure.
   2. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to take no further action to approve the requested lease assignment until 180 days after public notification, as provided.
2. Adds lease assignment to the existing process the State Lands Commission or local trustee undertake before approving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification for oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases issued after January 1, 2018. Removes the requirement that the application is to authorize new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to additionally consider, at a minimum:
   1. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification may impact public trust resources and values.
   2. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is for, or connected to, infrastructure that has experienced a reportable incident, such as an oil spill.
   3. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is related to the use of well stimulation treatments, extended reach drilling and production, horizontal drilling and production, or other unconventional drilling and production techniques for resource extraction.
   4. Whether the operator has provided finalized certificates of financial responsibility obtained from OSPR and has provided financial assurances required for decommissioning, as specified.
3. Prohibits the approval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification that will increase the volume of oil and gas conveyed across state waters, including by commencing, increasing, intensifying, or restarting production from the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf at the same properly noticed public meeting it is first presented at. Requires the State Lands Commission or local trustee to accept public comments.at the meeting it votes to approve or disapprove the lease assignment.
4. Requires that the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit is in the best interest of the state, as provided.
5. Clarifies in the Coastal Act that oil onshore is transported by pipeline that uses the best available technology, as specified.
6. Expands the Coastal Act definition of “expanded oil extraction” to include the reactivation of a facility idled, inactive, or out of service for more than three years, or an increase in oil extraction from the use of hydraulic fracturing, extended reach drilling, acidization, or other unconventional technologies, as provided. Prohibits the transport of oil over land by other methods, as provided.
7. Clarifies in the Coastal Act that the repair, reactivation, and maintenance of an oil and gas facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for five years or more is considered a new or expanded development requiring a new CDP.
8. Clarifies in the Coastal Act that development for the repair, reactivation, or maintenance of an oil pipeline that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for five years or more requires a new CDP, as provided.
9. Requires the Coastal Commission or local government with a certified local coastal program to review and approve, modify, condition, or deny the CDP, as provided.
10. Makes various technical changes, and provides that no reimbursement is required to a local agency or school district, except in specified circumstances.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: Yes

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• Potential loss in annual rental revenue of an unknown amount, potentially in excess of $150,000, from offshore oil- and gas-related infrastructure leases to the extent the State Lands Commission (SLC) or a local trustee denies one or more applications for a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, as a result of the bill’s requirements and conditions (General Fund). SLC collected approximately $949,000 in rental revenue from its approximately one dozen pipeline right-of-way leases in fiscal year 2023-24.
• By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, and by imposing additional duties on a local government with a certified LCP in processing and reviewing an application for a CDP, this bill imposes a state-mandated local program. These costs are potentially reimbursable by the state, subject to a determination by the Commission on State Mandates (General Fund).

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/29/25)

Center for Biological Diversity (co-sponsor)

Environmental Defense Center (co-sponsor)

7th Generation Advisors

350 Bay Area Action

350 Humboldt

350 Santa Barbara

Azul

Ballona Wetlands Institute

Ban SUP (Single Use Plastics)

Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast

California Coastal Protection Network

California Environmental Voters

California Legislative Central Coast Caucus

Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment

Central Coast Climate Justice Network

Citizens Planning Association

City of Goleta

CleanEarth4Kids.org

Clean Water Action

Climate Action California

Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas

Climate Hawks Vote

Climate Reality Project, San Diego

CLUE-SB Environmental Justice Group

Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation

Coastal Lands Action Network

Defend Ballona Wetlands

Defenders of Wildlife

Elected Officials to Protect America Code Blue

Environmental Law Club at UCSB

Environmental Action Committee of West Marin

Food & Water Watch

Friends Committee on Legislation of California

Friends of the Earth

Get Oil Out!

Green Policy Initiative

Indivisible CA Green Team

International Marine Mammal Project, Earth Island Institute

Los Padres ForestWatch

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Natural Resources Defense Council

Ocean Conservation Research

Oceana

Oil and Gas Action Network

Patagonia

Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network

Physicians for Social Responsibility, San Francisco Bay Chapter

Progressive Democrats of America

Quabajai Coastal Chumash Keeper of the Western Gate

Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples

San Diego 350

San Francisco Baykeeper

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Santa Barbara County Action Network

Save Our Shores

Sierra Club California

Sierra Club, Santa Barbara Group

Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter (San Luis Obispo County)

SoCal 350 Climate Action

Society of Fearless Grandmothers of Santa Barbara

Solano County Democratic Central Committee

Sunflower Alliance

Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter

Surfrider Foundation, San Luis Obispo

The Climate Center

UCSB Environmental Affairs Board

Ventura Coastkeeper

Vote Solar

WILDCOAST

Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/29/25)

California Independent Petroleum Association

Central Valley Business Federation

DCOR, LLC

IEEP

Kern Citizens of Energy

Kern County Economic Development Corporation

Kern County Taxpayers Association

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Los Angeles County Business Federation

Sable Offshore Corporation

SAGE Monterey

Santa Maria Valley Chamber

SBCTAC

SLO COLAB

South County Chamber

State Building and Construction Trades Council of California

Tri-County Chamber Alliance

VC Taxpayers Association

Western States Petroleum Association

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “Despite the hard-learned lessons from devastating oil spills, threats to our coast continue. Assembly Bill 1448 will protect our precious coast by strengthening environmental protections, public oversight, and safety requirements for offshore drilling activities. The bill places stricter conditions on lease renewals, extensions, amendments, assignments, and modifications. AB 1448 ensures that our marine resources and coastal communities are protected against efforts to restart outdated and unsafe pipelines. We must do everything we can to protect our coast.”

Environmental Defense Center in a joint sign-on letter writes, “AB 1448 will safeguard our coast against federal attempts to unlawfully open federal waters to new oil leasing off California. The Trump Administration has pledged to drill everywhere and will undoubtedly seek to expand Pacific offshore drilling. Current gaps in state law leave untoward paths for federal oil expansion through existing infrastructure in state waters. AB 1448 takes a firm stand against efforts to expand drilling off our coast, to protect against associated risks to California interests.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) in a joint sign-on letter writes, “We believe that AB 1448 would significantly expand regulatory barriers on offshore oil and gas operations, particularly within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leases. While we support reasonable environmental safeguards, this bill overreaches by broadening the scope of activities requiring new approvals, introducing operational uncertainty, and discouraging investment in California’s existing offshore infrastructure.”

WSPA continues that “A major concern is the bill’s extension to lease assignments,” and additionally expresses concern over the broader definition of “expanded oil and gas development,” and the fiscal implications of the potential loss of revenues to the state and local jurisdictions from offshore oil and gas production, among other concerns.

The State Building and Construction Trades Council cites concerns that “this bill seeks to cut off yet another source of domestic crude oil to our in-state refineries,” and argue that this bill makes “it increasingly difficult and prohibitively expensive to operate refineries in-state.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 42-26, 6/4/25

AYES: Addis, Ahrens, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Connolly, Elhawary, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Mark González, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lee, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Papan, Pellerin, Celeste Rodriguez, Rogers, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Stefani, Ward, Wicks, Zbur, Rivas

NOES: Alanis, Ávila Farías, Bains, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, DeMaio, Dixon, Ellis, Flora, Gallagher, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Hadwick, Hoover, Lackey, Macedo, Patterson, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Wallis

NO VOTE RECORDED: Aguiar-Curry, Alvarez, Davies, Nguyen, Pacheco, Patel, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Valencia, Wilson

Prepared by: Katharine Moore / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

9/2/25 18:22:36

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

AB 1448 (Hart) - Coastal resources: oil and gas development

Bill Summary:

This bill would expand upon existing requirements for the transfer or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases to include lease assignments, as provided, among other provisions.

*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********

The following information is revised to reflect amendments

adopted by the committee on August 29, 2025

Fiscal Impact:

• Potential loss in annual rental revenue of an unknown amount, potentially in excess of $150,000, from offshore oil- and gas-related infrastructure leases to the extent the State Lands Commission (SLC) or a local trustee denies one or more applications for a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, as a result of the bill’s requirements and conditions (General Fund). SLC collected approximately $949,000 in rental revenue from its approximately one dozen pipeline right-of-way leases in fiscal year 2023-24.
• By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, and by imposing additional duties on a local government with a certified LCP in processing and reviewing an application for a CDP, this bill imposes a state-mandated local program. These costs are potentially reimbursable by the state, subject to a determination by the Commission on State Mandates (General Fund).

Author Amendments:

These amendments would strike authorization for the reactivation of an existing oil and gas facility to also be permitted as a coastal-dependent industrial facility. They would also require a coastal development permit for a facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for 5 years or more, instead of 3 years.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

AB 1448 (Hart) - Coastal resources: oil and gas development

Bill Summary:

This bill would expand upon existing requirements for the transfer or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases to include lease assignments, as provided, among other provisions.

Fiscal Impact:

• Potential loss in annual rental revenue of an unknown amount, potentially in excess of $150,000, from offshore oil- and gas-related infrastructure leases to the extent the State Lands Commission (SLC) or a local trustee denies one or more applications for a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, as a result of the bill’s requirements and conditions (General Fund). SLC collected approximately $949,000 in rental revenue from its approximately one dozen pipeline right-of-way leases in fiscal year 2023-24.
• By imposing additional duties on local trustees in the consideration of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification, and by imposing additional duties on a local government with a certified LCP in processing and reviewing an application for a CDP, this bill imposes a state-mandated local program. These costs are potentially reimbursable by the state, subject to a determination by the Commission on State Mandates (General Fund).

Background:

Over 150 million visitors annually enjoy California’s coastline. According to Oceana, nearly 600,000 jobs and over $42 billion in GDP rely on clean beaches and a healthy ocean. According to a 2024 report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, coastal tourism and recreation produced 47% of GDP and 67% of the employment of California’s marine economy. In comparison, mineral resources offshore, produced only 5% of GDP and 1% of employment.

The 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill and its consequences. On May 19, 2015, a pipeline then owned by Houston-based Plains All American Pipeline (Plains) ruptured spilling over 140,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the Gaviota coast at Refugio Beach in Santa Barbara County of which over 100,000 gallons reached coastal waters. The release was from a 10.6 mile long, 24-inch diameter pipeline (Line 901).

The main oil spill stretched over 9 miles of California coastline and tar balls associated with the spill were found, as far south as Los Angeles County. Shoreline and beaches were affected by the spill and nesting areas for protected species were also affected. Hundreds of birds and mammals, in addition to a large number of marine invertebrates, were known to be impacted by the spill. Although some of the birds and mammals were released following treatment, most died from their exposure to oil. A 23 mile by 6 mile area was closed to fishing for over one month and beaches were closed, including over the Memorial Day weekend, resulting in economic losses.

A subsequent investigation by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for this then-interstate pipeline found that the direct cause of the leak was external corrosion on the pipeline. Corrosion in the pipeline had been indirectly tested two weeks before the spill and the in-line inspection tool failed to accurately determine the degree of corrosion in the line. Discrepancies between the tool’s inferred measurement and actual corrosion were as much as 40% in the location of the failure.

While in-line inspection tools are useful to inferring pipeline integrity, the failure to detect serious corrosion prior to the Refugio spill highlights the limitations of indirect measurements of pipeline integrity. A direct assessment of pipeline integrity – such as a hydro test – provides a clear unequivocal measure of pipeline integrity, although more intensive in time and expense to conduct.

Sable Offshore Corporation purchase of pipelines and offshore and onshore oil production infrastructure. Both lines 901 and 903 were ordered to be shut down following the 2015 Refugio Beach spill leak. The lines start on the Gaviota coast and are located in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Kern Counties. Production on Platform Holly in state waters and from offshore federal leases [the Santa Ynez Unit (SYU) – Platforms Hondo, Harmony, and Heritage] ceased as a result. Without a method to transport its oil to shore, Venoco, the operator of Platform Holly, subsequently sought bankruptcy protection. Plains originally sought to replace the pipe in Lines 901 and 903 and returns the pipelines to service once the replacement was completed. Plains ultimately dropped this effort and sold lines 901 and 903 to Exxon in 2022. Exxon entered into an agreement to sell the pipelines and other oil production infrastructure to Sable Offshore Corporation (Sable), and the sale was finalized in early 2024. The pipelines were re-classified as intrastate pipelines as part of settlement of litigation, and had been renamed CA-324 and CA-325. Sable is seeking to restart oil production in the SYU (in federal waters) and restart CA-324 and CA-325. Sable is not replacing the pipe, but rather making any necessary repairs to the pipeline.

Since Sable became owner of the pipelines, multiple state agencies have determined that it has conducted unauthorized repairs and other work on the pipelines. Sable’s efforts to comply with regulatory requests appears to vary by regulator.

March 13, 2025 Town Hall. As part of its effort to receive approval to restart CA-324 and CA-325, Sable sought a waiver of the requirement to have cathodic protection on the pipelines from the State Fire Marshal (intrastate pipelines are under the jurisdiction of the State Fire Marshal). Cathodic protection is a standard method to help protect against corrosion. In December 2024, the State Fire Marshal approved the waiver, and conditioned it upon compliance with other requirements. This action resulted in significant community concern.

On March 13, 2025, a town hall was convened by Senator Limón and Assembly Member Hart to inform the local community about the status of Sable’s efforts to restart the pipelines and featured presentations from multiple state regulators led by the Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, Wade Crowfoot. In addition, representatives of the California Coastal Commission, the State Lands Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response, the State Fire Marshal, the Department of Conservation, the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and the State Water Resources Control Board were present. As noted above, Sable does not appear to have been consistently cooperative with state regulators.

Sovereign Lands and the Public Trust Doctrine. California acquired title to all tidelands, submerged lands, and the beds of all inland navigable waters within its borders as an incident of its sovereignty when it was admitted to the Union on September 9, 1850. The state owns these tidelands and submerged lands – sovereign lands – as a trustee for, and the public holds an easement over these lands for, statewide public purposes. These public rights are expressed in federal law, California’s Act of Admission, the California Constitution, court opinions, and state statutes.

The common law public trust doctrine has traditionally defined these public trust uses as water-related commerce, navigation, and fishing. However, California courts have recognized that public trust uses are “sufficiently flexible to encompass changing needs” (Marks v. Whitney, 6 Cal.3d at p. 259). As a result, California courts have also recognized bathing, swimming, boating, and other recreational purposes, as well as preservation of these lands in their natural state for scenic, scientific study, open space, and habitat values, as public trust uses. Recognized public trust uses must benefit all people of the state – in other words, they have statewide benefit.

Proposed Law:

This bill would expand upon existing requirements for the transfer or modification of leases for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state water associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases to include lease assignments, as provided, among other provisions.

Specifically, this bill would:

1. Add an application for a lease assignment for oil and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases, to existing State Lands Commission or local trustee public notice requirements, as provided.
   1. Remove the requirements that the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf lease be issued after January 1, 2018, and that the application is to authorize only new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure.
   2. Require the State Lands Commission or local trustee to take no further action to approve the requested lease assignment until 180 days after public notification, as provided.
2. Add lease assignment to the existing process the State Lands Commission or local trustee undertake before approving a lease renewal, extension, amendment, or modification for oil- and gas-related infrastructure upon tidelands and submerged lands within state waters associated with Pacific Outer Continental Shelf leases. Remove the requirements that the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf lease be issued after January 1, 2018, and that the application is to authorize new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure. Require the State Lands Commission or local trustee to additionally consider, at a minimum:
   1. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification may impact public trust resources and values.
   2. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is for, or connected to, infrastructure that has experienced a reportable incident, such as an oil spill.
   3. Whether the lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification is related to the use of well stimulation treatments, extended reach drilling and production, horizontal drilling and production, or other unconventional drilling and production techniques for resource extraction.
   4. Whether the operator has provided finalized certificates of financial responsibility obtained from OSPR and has provided financial assurances required for decommissioning, as specified.
3. Prohibit the approval of a lease renewal, extension, amendment, assignment, or modification that will increase the volume of oil and gas conveyed across state waters, including by commencing, increasing, intensifying, or restarting production from the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf at the same properly noticed public meeting it is first presented at. Require the State Lands Commission or local trustee to accept public comments.at the meeting it votes to approve or disapprove the lease assignment.
4. Require that the approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease or permit is in the best interest of the state, as provided.
5. Clarify in the Coastal Act that oil onshore is transported by pipeline that uses the best available technology, as provided.
6. Expand in the Coastal Act the definition of “expanded oil extraction” to include the reactivation of a facility idled, inactive, or out of service for more than three years, or an increase in oil extraction from the use of hydraulic fracturing, extended reach drilling, acidization, or other unconventional technologies, as provided. Prohibit the transport of oil over land by other methods, as provided.
7. Provide in the Coastal Act that reactivation of an existing oil and gas facility may be approved only if it does not result in an expansion of capacity of the oil and gas field.
8. Clarify in the Coastal Act that the repair, reactivation, and maintenance of an oil and gas facility that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for three years or more is considered a new or expanded development requiring a new CDP.
9. Clarify in the Coastal Act that development for the repair, reactivation, or maintenance of an oil pipeline that has been idled, inactive, or out of service for three years or more requires a new CDP, as provided.
10. Require the Coastal Commission or local government with a certificated LDP to review and approve, modify, condition, or deny the permit, as provided.
11. Provide that no reimbursement is required to a local agency or school district.