Prohibits the lease of state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas and unique areas for the purpose of gas and oil production

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Burdick and 6 co-sponsors

Prohibits leasing state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique lands for gas and oil production, shielding these lands from fossil-fuel development.

SUBSTITUTED BY S1069

Summary of Bill A 1179 (Prohibits the lease of state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas and unique areas for the purpose of gas and oil production)

Overview and Purpose

This bill, introduced January 9, 2025, would prohibit leasing state lands—specifically state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique areas—for gas and oil production.

The primary aim is to prevent fossil-fuel development on designated state natural-resource lands, preserving ecological, recreational, and conservation values.

Legislative Status and Actions

Introduced: January 9, 2025

Referred to: Environmental Conservation (January 9, 2025)

Reported: April 2, 2025

Advanced to Third Reading (CAL.85): April 3, 2025

Substituted by S1069: June 11, 2025 (the bill’s language or fate appears to have been superseded or replaced by Senate Bill S1069)

Related companion: S 1069 (companion bill in the Senate)

Sponsors

Primary Sponsor: Deborah Glick

Co-sponsors: Grace Lee, Dana Levenberg, Chris Burdick, William Colton, Steven Otis, Anna Kelles

Note: The list includes several Assembly members who support the measure as introduced.

Key Provisions (as introduced)

Prohibition on leasing for gas and oil production:

Applies to: state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique areas.
Objective: prevent the use of state land for fossil-fuel extraction activities.

Definitions and implementation details (likely to be provided in the enacted text) would specify what constitutes “lease,” “gas and oil production,” and the categories of lands covered.

Who Would Be Affected

State agencies involved in land management and leasing (e.g., an environmental conservation department).

Potential lessees or developers seeking drilling rights on designated state lands.

Public and environmental groups interested in land conservation, recreation, and natural resources.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

The bill moved through standard committee and floor actions (referral, reporting, and third-reading progression) before being substituted by a companion Senate bill (S1069).

Substitution indicates adoption or replacement of the Assembly measure by the Senate counterpart, altering the bill’s trajectory and potentially its text and provisions.

Related/Companion Bills

A 6682, A 6106, A 9408, A 5021, A 4167, A 4242, A 4003 (prior-session references)

S 1069 (companion bill in the Senate; central to the current status)

Potential Impact and Considerations

Environmental and conservation protection: stronger safeguards against fossil-fuel development on state lands.

Economic and energy policy: potential effects on revenue streams from lease sales and on future energy development plans.

Legal and administrative: final impact depends on the text of S1069 (the substituted measure) and any changes during the legislative process.

Note: Final provisions and exact definitions may differ in the substituted/S1069 version; readers should consult the enacted text of S1069 for precise language and legal effect.