The State Legislature in Sacramento heats up in August, with a rush to pass bills in each house by their August 31st deadline. Surfrider is spotlighting two bills that need your support. Also, there is a strong threat of federal overreach that could impact the Coastal Commission and other state agencies set up to help protect the coast.
AB 1448 strengthens California’s protections against expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling by prohibiting the use of existing infrastructure to support new federal offshore leases, requiring the State Lands Commission to weigh additional environmental and safety factors before renewing leases or approving transfers, and closing a gap in the state’s ban on offshore oil drilling in state waters. Click here to message your legislators.
AB 2734 updates the Whale Tail License Plate funding structure so more of the revenue generated by the plate directly supports coastal access, outdoor education, and grant programs. Click here to message your legislators.
You can get the full info on those bills at https://california.surfrider.org/2026-legislation
Additionally, the federal government is reviewing California's authority to push back on offshore drilling, rocket launches, and other coastal projects. NOAA is conducting a federally required review of the California Coastal Management Program — the state law that lets California object to offshore drilling, rocket launches, pipelines, desalination projects, and undersea cables in federal waters when they threaten the coast.
There will be a public hearing in Santa Monica on 8/10, followed by online hearings on 8/11 and 8/12. Speaking opportunities at those hearings are likely filled up, but please send in written comments until 8/22.
Details can be found at https://www.surfrider.org/czma