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CA SB839
Bill
Status
Passed
10/1/2025
Primary Sponsor
John Laird
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AI Summary
- Authorizes the Director of Fish and Wildlife to close waters or restrict fishing after oil spill notifications, with mandatory closure required when the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment determines a public health threat exists or is likely to exist
- Establishes specific oil spill volume thresholds triggering consultation requirements: 1+ barrels in inland/estuarine waters or impacting shorelines, or 5+ barrels in open ocean waters
- Expands eligibility for oil spill response equipment grants, area plan grants, and Environmental Enhancement Grant Program funding to include federally recognized tribes
- Removes the liability exemption for oil or natural gas discharges from private pleasure boats, making their owners absolutely liable for spill damages like other responsible parties
- Creates a new crime for taking fish or shellfish from closed waters or violating fishing restrictions imposed after an oil spill
Legislative Description
Oil spills: fishing: water closure: grants: liability.
Last Action
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 237, Statutes of 2025.
10/1/2025
Committee Referrals
Appropriations7/2/2025
Judiciary6/24/2025
Natural Resources6/5/2025
Appropriations5/1/2025
Environmental Quality4/8/2025
Natural Resources and Water4/2/2025
Rules2/21/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available