CA AB1531

Expands State Fire Marshal safety regulatory authority to include intrastate carbon dioxide pipelines, requiring adoption of regulations for maintaining, testing, and inspecting mainline valves and check valves by January 1, 2023.

Amends Civil Code to specify that pore space beneath land can be possessed and used for storage of gaseous or liquid substances, including greenhouse gases, without affecting existing mineral estate rights.

Designates the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission as lead agency for environmental review of carbon capture and storage projects under the California Environmental Quality Act, with specified state agencies as responsible agencies.

Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to approve gas corporation programs and investments in carbon pipelines, carbon capture infrastructure, and storage facilities through a reasonable cost recovery mechanism.

Establishes that violations of carbon dioxide pipeline safety regulations constitute crimes, creating a state-mandated local program with no state reimbursement required under Article XIII B of the California Constitution.