Bill Text: CA AB1274 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Public lands: geophysical surveys.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2015-10-08 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 600, Statutes of 2015. [AB1274 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB1274-Chaptered.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1274	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  600
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 8, 2015
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 8, 2015
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 24, 2015
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 27, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 14, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 16, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 15, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 26, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Mark Stone

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act to add Section 6212.3 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to public lands.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1274, Mark Stone. Public lands: geophysical surveys.
   Existing law authorizes the State Lands Commission to lease state
lands for the production of oil and gas. Existing law also authorizes
the commission to issue permits for geological or geophysical
surveys on those state lands, but specifies that the permit does not
give the permittee any preferential right to an oil or gas lease.
   This bill would authorize the commission to issue permits for
geophysical surveys on state lands under its jurisdiction, including
granted and ungranted tidelands and submerged lands and the beds of
navigable waterways, subject to terms and conditions as the
commission shall specify to ensure public safety and protection of
the environment, and would require the commission to adopt
regulations to aid in the implementation of those provisions, as
specified. The bill would authorize the commission to promote
compliance with the permit through specified actions. The bill would
prohibit the commission from requiring a permit for a geophysical
survey performed in support of dredging to maintain or increase the
depth of navigation channels, anchorages, or berthing areas.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares both of the
following:
   (a)  The state has a responsibility to establish conditions to
ensure that geophysical surveys performed on state lands under its
jurisdiction, including granted and ungranted tidelands and submerged
lands and the beds of navigable waterways, for scientific and
research purposes do not cause harm or damage to aquatic life or to
the marine and coastal environment.
   (b)  Improved and updated regulations governing permit conditions
can protect marine life from impacts of geophysical surveys and
improve public transparency, particularly as it relates to notifying
the public in advance of surveys.
  SEC. 2.  Section 6212.3 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   6212.3.  (a) The commission may authorize, by permit, the conduct
of geophysical surveys on state lands under its jurisdiction,
including granted and ungranted tidelands and submerged lands and the
beds of navigable waterways, subject to terms and conditions as the
commission shall specify to ensure public safety and protection of
the environment.
   (b) No permit shall be required by the commission for any
geophysical survey performed in support of dredging to maintain or
increase the depth of navigation channels, anchorages, or berthing
areas.
   (c) The commission shall adopt regulations to aid in the
implementation of subdivision (a). The regulations shall include
conditions that address and minimize the potential impacts to aquatic
life or to the marine and coastal environment that might arise from
geophysical surveys performed on state lands under its jurisdiction,
including granted and ungranted tidelands and submerged lands and the
beds of navigable waterways.
   (d) The commission may promote compliance with the permit
requirements through appropriate actions, including any of the
following:
   (1) Providing educational outreach to increase awareness of
permitting regulations and enforcement actions.
   (2) Making a toll-free telephone number available to the public to
report permit violators.
   (3) Issuing cease and desist orders to permit violators.