Sen. Wieckowski tells LBREPORT.com why he introduced it, who supports it, opposes it and who hasn't said thus far.

To hear our conversation, click here.

Historically, oil companies have been able to block bills in the state legislature that would have created a CA oil severance tax. CA has a statewide fee assessed by the CA Department of Conservation, and some individual counties may impose an ad valorem tax on a per county basis...but over the years multiple bills to create a CA oil severance tax have stymied (by the party holding a majority) in the state legislature.

But that was before concern over climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. That's a fundamental difference now between prior bills that stalled and died and SB 246 now, Sen. Wieckowski indicated.

At the March 12, 2019 Long Beach City Council meeting, Councilmembers spent roughly two hours discussing a City Hall-titled "Climate Action and Adaptation Plan," publicly backed by LB Mayor Robert Garcia and the City Council without dissent. At the same time, sizable parts of LB as well as the Port of Long Beach and offshore state-owned tidelands areas are also home to oil deposits and oil drilling.

So has Sen. Wieckowski heard anything to date from LB's Mayor or any City Councilmembers or city staff on his bill? Not at this point, Sen. Wieckowski told LBREPORT.com.

[Scroll down for further.]

Any LB Councilmember could agendize an item for City Council consideration that would put the City on record either supporting or opposing SB 246. The Council's state legislation committee [chair Austin, vice chair Gonzalez, member Richardson] could also agendize and discuss the bill and make a recommendation to the Council, which isn't required prior to Council action.)

SB 246 was introduced on Feb. 11, 2019. Although eligible for legislativea actions as of March 14, it hasn't been assigned to a state Senate committee. Sen. Wiesckowski indicated that usual legislative deadlines don't apply to SB 246 because it requires 2/3 state legislative approval. .

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