SB 831: Geologic hazards: California Geological Survey.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the California Geological Survey in the Department of Conservation, the Director of Conservation, the State Geologist, and the State Mining and Geology Board and sets forth the duties of these entities in connection with the mineral resources, mineral industries, and geology of the state, including assessments of geologic hazards. Existing law makes the department the primary state agency responsible for review and investigation of geologic hazards, including, but not limited to, the strong motion aspects of earthquake and any geologic hazards that may occur in relation to natural disasters.

This bill would expand the duties of the department to review and investigate geologic hazards to specifically include geologic hazards that may occur in relation to climate change and make other related changes.

Existing law authorizes the director to fix a price upon and dispose of to the public all publications of the survey and requires that all money received by the survey from sales of publications issued by the survey be deposited at least once each month in the State Treasury to the credit of the General Fund.

This bill would repeal those provisions.

Existing law requires the State Geologist to compile maps delineating earthquake fault zones, or identifying seismic hazard zones, as applicable, and to submit those maps, as provided, for board review. Within 90 days of board review, existing law requires the State Geologist to take specified actions with respect to those maps, including providing copies of the maps to state and local entities, as described.

This bill would instead require the State Geologist to revise the maps and provide copies of the official maps within 90 days after the comment period concludes.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 1, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 236, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 1, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 10, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. September 4, 2025In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. September 4, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 65. Noes 2. Page 2904.) Ordered to the Senate.
6. July 3, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. July 2, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (July 2).
8. June 24, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
9. June 24, 2025Coauthors revised.
10. June 9, 2025Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
11. June 3, 2025In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
12. June 2, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29. Noes 0. Page 1403.) Ordered to the Assembly.