CA AB631

Extends the 5-year statute of limitations for civil penalties in environmental protection laws to oil and gas violations, requiring actions to commence within 5 years of agency discovery of violation facts.

Increases criminal penalties for violating oil and gas laws from $100-$1,000 to $500-$5,000 fines and up to 6 months imprisonment per offense; authorizes the supervisor to refer violations to prosecutors or the Attorney General.

Establishes civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation (or $25,000 if operator proves violation caused no harm and is not chronic) and up to $70,000 for intentional or negligent violations; requires violators also pay costs to plug and abandon associated wells.

Authorizes the supervisor to order operators to secure hazardous wells with fencing and bilingual warning signs; allows the supervisor or prosecutors to seek injunctions against violations; permits recovery of all enforcement costs from violators.

Requires 50% of civil penalties be paid to prosecuting agencies and 50% deposited in the Oil and Gas Environmental Remediation Account; specifies violators face either administrative or civil penalties, not both.