SB 233 Summary

• Authorizes prospective applicants to pay startup costs before filing applications for partial removal of offshore oil structures, with the Department of Fish and Wildlife determining necessary amounts for staff and anticipatory costs.

• Transfers lead agency responsibility for environmental review under CEQA from the Natural Resources Agency to the State Lands Commission for partial offshore oil structure removal projects.

• Requires the Ocean Protection Council to consider air quality and greenhouse gas emission impacts when determining net environmental benefit, and to assign appropriate weight to these impacts compared to biological and water quality impacts.

• Allows applicants to withdraw applications at any time before final approval and requires the Department to return unexpended funds, including startup costs, plus promptly returns cost savings if a court or agency blocks the partial removal project.

• Modifies cost-sharing percentages for the first applicant based on application submission date rather than transmission date, apportioning cost savings to the California Endowment for Marine Preservation (85%), General Fund (10%), Fish and Game Preservation Fund (2%), Coastal Act Services Fund (2%), and adjacent county (1%).