BILL NUMBER: SB 788	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator McGuire
   (Principal coauthors: Senators Jackson and Leno)
   (Coauthors: Senators Allen, Hancock, and Wolk)
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Dodd, Levine, Mark Stone, and
Williams)

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act to repeal Section 6244 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to coastal resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 788, as introduced, McGuire. California Coastal Protection Act
of 2015.
   The California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994 authorizes the State
Lands Commission to enter into a lease for the extraction of oil or
gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands in the California
Coastal Sanctuary if the commission determines that the oil or gas
deposits are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent
federal lands and the lease is in the best interest of the state.
   This bill would enact the California Coastal Protection Act of
2015, which would delete this authorization. The bill would make
related legislative findings and declarations.
   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.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) California's coast is 840 miles long. California's coastal
economies contribute $40 billion annually to the state's economy, and
nearly half a million jobs. Commercial fisheries in California are
valued at more than $7 billion annually. Ocean dependent tourism is
valued at over $10 billion annually. Recreational fishing is valued
at over $2 billion annually along California's coast.
   (2) The California coastal current system hosts a wide variety of
marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, marine fishes, and
invertebrates, including many threatened and endangered animals. The
ocean off of California's coast also supports rare, deep-water coral
habitats that provide habitat for abundant marine life.
   (3) The California coastline provides habitat for many threatened
or endangered species.
   (4) The coast of California is home to numerous protected areas,
including national marine sanctuaries, a national park, and a
national seashore.
   (5) Outdoor coastal recreation is a crucial part of California's
business and recreation, including boating, wildlife viewing, hiking,
beach visitation, swimming, surfing, and diving. Additionally, many
of California's indigenous populations rely on fisheries for
subsistence, business, and recreation.
   (6) The California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994 passed with
bipartisan support. The act prohibits any extraction of oil or gas in
certain state waters under a new lease, but it also provides an
exception that authorizes the extraction of oil or gas from
state-owned tide and submerged lands in certain circumstances.
Because of this exception, the act falls short of providing a
complete ban on new offshore oil drilling.
   (7) California has established a network of marine protected
areas. The exception for offshore oil drilling in the California
Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994 threatens that network of marine
protected areas.
   (8) Pursuant to an agreement with the federal government,
California receives a portion of the royalties on oil and gas
produced in federal waters.
   (9) California has not issued new offshore oil permits for over 50
years and has intentionally foregone any revenue from new offshore
oil development in state waters and federal waters. The Legislature,
Governor, and State Lands Commission have repeatedly called upon the
federal government to prohibit any offshore oil drilling in federal
waters off the California coast.
   (10) The federal and state government, as well as the people of
California, have consistently expressed support for an energy policy
that transitions our use from fossil fuel to more renewable energy,
greater fuel efficiency, and conservation.
   (11) The Governor of California, along with the governors of
Oregon and Washington, have repeatedly expressed their "strong
opposition" to any offshore oil development off of the West Coast. In
a letter to the President of the United States, they wrote: "While
new technology reduces the risk of a catastrophic event such as the
1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, a sizeable spill anywhere along our
shared coast would have a devastating impact on our population,
recreation, natural resources, and our ocean and coastal dependent
economies." They further wrote that: "Oil and gas leasing may be
appropriate for regions where there is state support for such
development and the impacts can be mitigated. However, along the West
Coast, our states stand ready to work with the Obama Administration
to help craft a comprehensive and science-based national energy
policy that aligns with the actions we are taking to invest in energy
efficiency, alternative renewable energy sources, and pricing
carbon."
   (b) This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the California
Coastal Protection Act of 2015.
  SEC. 2.  Section 6244 of the Public Resources Code is repealed.

   6244.  The commission may 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 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.