Public lands: assignments and transfers: oil, gas, and mineral leases.

Existing law vests with the State Lands Commission control over certain public lands. Existing law authorizes, with respect to oil, gas, and mineral leases, the assignment, transfer, or sublet as to all or any part of certain leased or permitted lands, as prescribed, subject to approval by the commission, to any person, association of persons, or corporation, who at the time of the proposed assignment, transfer, or sublease, possesses certain qualifications. This bill would authorize the commission, in considering an approval of an assignment, transfer, or sublease of a lease under those provisions, to consider whether the proposed assignee, as defined, is likely to comply with all provisions of the assigned lease for the duration of the lease term, as determined by specified factors.