Oil and gas: subsurface energy transition research and demonstration projects: California State University, Bakersfield.

The bill changed from a general 'act relating to oil and gas' containing only a legislative intent statement to a specific act adding Article 3.7 (Sections 3191-3191.7) to the Public Resources Code, creating binding statutory authority for multiple programs.

Section 3191.1 authorizes the Subsurface Low-Carbon Demonstration Project Program to facilitate partnerships among the state, CSU system, private industry, and public entities to study and demonstrate innovative subsurface technologies using existing and idle wells.

Section 3191.2 establishes the Regional Subsurface Energy Transition and Applied Research Program within the CSU system, with CSU Bakersfield as a pilot partner that may serve as a model for other campuses.

Section 3191.4 authorizes a subsurface energy research field station for applied research, CO2 injection testing, critical mineral extraction research, hybrid geothermal evaluation, orphan well testing, and workforce training.

Section 3191.6 authorizes designation of the California Core Repository at CSU Bakersfield as an official state-affiliated repository for geological samples and subsurface data, with access for research and the public.

Section 3191 requires the Department of Conservation to prioritize granting approvals for six categories of low-carbon or carbon-reducing technologies: carbon dioxide capture/utilization/storage, CO2 enhanced oil recovery, critical mineral extraction from produced water, hybrid geothermal operations, hydrogen-related subsurface activities, and other emissions-mitigating projects.

Section 3191.3 authorizes an official department office at CSU Bakersfield that may receive and administer state, federal, and private funds, while explicitly stating this does not delegate regulatory authority to the university.

Section 3191.5 recognizes the California Energy Research Center at CSU Bakersfield as a state-affiliated applied research, technical assistance, and policy support partner with nine enumerated functions including public health research, environmental science, engineering evaluation, data science, federal grant administration, and public education.

Section 1 was expanded from a single intent statement into nine legislative findings covering orphan well risks, inadequate bonding, state investment in CSU Bakersfield infrastructure, the university's research capacity, limited state regulatory authority over certain subsurface technologies, and the importance of workforce development and public education.

Section 3191.7 explicitly authorizes university-based researchers to serve on advisory panels, technical working groups, and research committees in an advisory capacity, while prohibiting them from exercising regulatory authority.

Section 3 adds a special statute finding declaring that a general statute cannot apply because of CSU Bakersfield's unique location near areas with the highest levels of oil and gas production, satisfying constitutional requirements for a special act.