BILL NUMBER: SB 571	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Maldonado

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 3724.32 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to public resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 571, as introduced, Maldonado. Geothermal resources.
   (1) Existing law allows the State Oil and Gas Supervisor to order
certain operations to be carried out on a property in the vicinity of
which, or on which, is located an oil or gas well that the
supervisor determines to be either hazardous or an idle-deserted
well.
   This bill would authorize the supervisor to deny approval of
proposed well operations until the well operator complies with the
above order.
   (2) Existing law imposes a civil penalty on an oil or gas well
operator when a violation of geothermal regulations has occurred.
Existing law requires the State Oil and Gas Supervisor to investigate
complaints against a well and, when necessary, to issue an order to
the well operator stating the work required to repair the damage
complained of. Existing law also requires the supervisor to establish
an annual well fee, and penalties for late payment.
   This bill would authorize the supervisor to deny approval of
proposed well operations until the operator pays the civil penalty,
remedies the violation to the satisfaction of the supervisor, or pays
the required well fee.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 3724.32 is added to the Public Resources Code,
to read:
   3724.32.  (a) When an operator fails to comply with an order of
the supervisor issued pursuant to Section 3255, the supervisor may
deny approval of proposed well operations until the operator brings
existing well operations into compliance with the order.
   (b) When an operator fails to pay a civil penalty imposed pursuant
to Section 3754.5, comply with an order issued under Section 3753 to
remedy or repair a condition found to be in violation of the
chapter, or pay a charge assessed under Section 3724.5, the
supervisor may deny approval of the operator's proposed well
operations until the operator pays the civil penalty, remedies the
violation to the satisfaction of the supervisor, or pays the charge
assessed under Section 3724.5.