California Assembly Bill AB2938

California 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/15/24

Caption

Oil and gas: chief deputy.

Impact

This bill primarily impacts the administrative structure within California's Geologic Energy Management Division. By clarifying the qualifications necessary for the chief deputy role, the law seeks to ensure that only well-qualified individuals oversee critical aspects of oil and gas operations, which include drilling, maintenance, and well abandonment. The stability and expertise in leadership roles are deemed essential for efficient regulatory practices in California’s oil and gas sectors.

Summary

Assembly Bill 2938, introduced by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio, aims to amend Section 3103 of the Public Resources Code concerning the requirements for the chief deputy in the State Oil and Gas Supervisor's office. Currently, the law mandates that chief deputies should be competent engineers or geologists with experience in oil and gas development and production. The proposed amendment is a nonsubstantive modification, reinforcing that chief deputies must ideally hold a professional license in the state.

Contention

There may be little contention regarding AB 2938, given that it appears to make clarifications rather than substantial changes to existing law. However, discussions may arise around the implications of requiring a state license for chief deputies, as some stakeholders might argue about the accessibility of such licenses for qualified professionals. The bill aims to maintain a standard that could influence the caliber of oversight within California's oil and gas operations, potentially leading to debates about the effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks.