BILL NUMBER: SB 571	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 28, 2009

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 amended, 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 
    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
  complies with the order  , 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) 
    3724.32.   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   of the supervisor issued
pursuant to this 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  
complies with the order  of the supervisor, or pays the charge
assessed under Section 3724.5.