Under existing law, the Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act, there is an administrator for oil spill response. Under this act, the owner or operator of a facility where a spill could impact waters of the state shall apply for and obtain a certificate of financial responsibility issued by the administrator for, among other things, the facility or oil to be handled.
This bill would require, for an existing oil pipeline that has not been in use for 5 or more years, there to be a public notice and comment process before the administrator issues the certificate of financial responsibility. The bill would require the administrator to review and revise the formulas for calculating reasonable worst case spills and the financial assurances necessary to respond to an oil spill, as provided.
Under the act, the administrator has primary authority to direct prevention, removal, abatement, response, containment, and cleanup efforts with regard to all aspects of any oil spill in the waters of the state as specified. A person who knowingly violates the act, or other law as provided, is, upon conviction, guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine or by imprisonment, as specified. Under existing law, the Elder California Pipeline Safety Act of 1981, the State Fire Marshal exercises safety regulatory jurisdiction over intrastate pipelines used for the transportation of hazardous or highly volatile liquid substances.
The bill would, notwithstanding any other law, prohibit existing oil pipelines that have not been used for 5 or more years from being restarted without passing a hydrostatic testing program, as specified. By expanding the scope of a crime, 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Statutes affected:
SB 542: 8670.9 GOV
02/20/25 - Introduced: 8670.9 GOV
03/26/25 - Amended Senate: 8670.37.51 GOV, 8670.37.51 GOV, 8670.9 GOV
04/28/25 - Amended Senate: 8670.37.51 GOV
05/23/25 - Amended Senate: 8670.37.51 GOV