Plain English Breakdown
The effective date is not listed in the provided metadata and depends on legislative appropriation, which has not yet occurred according to the text.
Cash Assistance for Individuals Near Low-Production Oil Wells in Baldwin Hills
This law directs up to $5 million from oil well penalties to Los Angeles County to provide equal direct cash payments to individuals living near specific low-production wells who have respiratory or reproductive health conditions.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the Department of Conservation to distribute the first $5,000,000 deposited into a special account (after administrative costs) to Los Angeles County for cash assistance.
- Directs that funds be used to give equal amounts of direct cash assistance to individuals living within 2.5 miles of identified low-production wells who have respiratory or reproductive health conditions.
- Requires the county to create an application process that is noninvasive, simple, and standardized so people can prove they live in the area and meet health requirements.
- Allows up to 10% of the program funding to be used by the county for administrative costs.
Who It Names or Affects
- Individuals living within 2.5 miles of identified low-production oil wells near Baldwin Hills who have respiratory or reproductive health conditions.
- Los Angeles County, which must manage and distribute the cash assistance funds.
- The Department of Conservation, which oversees distributing penalty money to the county.
Terms To Know
- Low-production wells
- Oil or gas wells in Los Angeles County located near state parks or recreation areas within the Baldwin Hills Conservancy that produce very little oil and are subject to specific rules.
- Equitable Community Repair and Reinvestment Account
- A special fund where fines from violating low-production well rules are deposited before being used for community projects or cash assistance.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law only takes effect if the Legislature approves spending (appropriation) of the funds.
- Funds are limited to the first $5,000,000 deposited into the account after administrative costs are paid.
- The bill does not specify how much cash each person will receive, only that amounts must be equal.