Past Rulemakings

DOC is responsible for conducting rulemakings to adopt and amend regulations covering a variety of areas. This page contains rulemakings completed in the year listed.

For information about current rulemaking efforts, visit Active Rulemakings. If you would like electronic copies of any rulemaking files, please contact the Office of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs at OLRA@conservation.ca.gov.

Rulemakings in 2023

Professional Services Contracts Amendment

On September 13, 2023, the Department's regulations that expand the applicability of Sections 1690 through 1698 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations to the entire Department were filed with the Secretary of State. The regulations become effective on January 1, 2024.

DMR Lead Agency Electronic Document Submittal

On June 28, 2022 the Division of Mine Reclamation sent another public notice to interested parties related to Lead Agency Electronic Document Submittal after public comments received informed changes to the proposed regulations. The publication of this notice initiated a public comment period that closed on July 12, 2022. The Division of Mine Reclamation reviewed all comments received and determined that no further changes to the rule language were warranted.

Updated Text of the Regulations (PDF)
Notice of Availability of Modified Text (PDF)

On January 21, 2022 the Division of Mine Reclamation sent public notice to interested parties related to Lead Agency Electronic Document Submittal. The publication of this notice initiated a public comment period that ended on March 9, 2022. The Division of Mine Reclamation reviewed all comments received and determined that changes to the rule language were warranted.

Text of the Regulations (PDF)
Notice of Proposed Action (PDF)
Initial Statements of Reasons including Economic Impact Analysis (PDF)

Rulemakings in 2022

Conflict of Interest Code Update

On May 25, 2022, the Department's amendments to its conflict of interest code were filed with the California Secretary of State. The Department's revised code became effective on June 24, 2022.

Real Estate Appraisals for the California Farmland Conservancy Program

On November 23, 2022 the Division of Land Resource Protection's amendments to Section 3010 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations related to the timing of real estate appraisals for grants under the California Farmland Conservancy Program were filed with the California Secretary of State. The Departments revised code became effective on January 1, 2023.

Rulemakings in 2019

Idle Wells Regulations Update (Assembly Bill 2729)
On March 20, 2019, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Idle Well Testing and Management Regulations. The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State and took effect on April 1, 2019.
On February 12, 2019, the Department of Conservation sent public notice to interested parties regarding a modification to the text of the proposed regulations in the rulemaking action entitled Requirements for Idle Well Testing and Management. The public notice initiates a 15-day public comment period that will end February 28, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
- Second Revised Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)
- 15-day Public Notice (PDF)
On October 29, 2018, DOC sent public notice to interested parties regarding a modification to the text of the proposed regulations in the rulemaking action entitled Requirements for Idle Well Testing and Management. The public notice initiated a 15-day public comment period that ended November 14, 2018.
- First Revised Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)
- 15-day Public Notice (PDF)
- The following documents have been added to the rulemaking file as documents relied upon:
On July 27, 2018, DOC sent public notice to interested parties related to Requirements for Idle Well Testing and Management. The publication of this notice initiated a public comment period that ended on September 13, 2018. DOC is reviewing all public comments received.
Pre-Rulemaking:
In 2017, DOC accepted public comments on pre-rulemaking draft regulations (a discussion draft) related to updates to Idle Well Regulations implementing the provisions of Assembly Bill 2729 (Williams, Chapter 272, Statutes of 2016). The official rulemaking process will commence with the release of the formal draft regulations.
Discussion draft regulations (PDF)
Public Notice (PDF)

Underground Injection Control (UIC) Update
On February 6, 2019, the Office of Administrative Law approved the Updated Underground Injection Control Regulations. The regulations were filed with the Secretary of State and took effect on April 1, 2019.
- Final Text of Regulations (PDF)
- OAL Approval (PDF)
- Final Statement of Reasons (PDF)
- Public Comment Summaries and Responses (July 27 - September 13, 2018) (PDF)
- Public Comment Summaries and Responses (October 29 - November 14, 2018) (PDF)
- Updated Informative Digest (PDF)
- Notice of Exemption (PDF)
On October 29, 2018, DOC sent public notice to interested parties regarding a modification to the text of the proposed regulations in the rulemaking action entitled Updated Underground Injection Control Regulations. The public notice initiated a 15-day public comment period that concluded November 14, 2018.
- First Revised Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)
- 15-day Public Notice (PDF)
- The following documents have been added to the rulemaking file as documents relied upon:
On July 27, 2018, DOC sent public notice to interested parties related to Updated Underground Injection Control Regulations. The publication of this notice initiated a public comment period that ended on September 13, 2018. DOC is reviewing all public comments received.
Text of Proposed Regulations (PDF)

Notice of Proposed Action (PDF)

Initial Statement of Reasons (PDF)

Updated Underground Injection Control Regulations Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment (SRIA) (PDF)

Department of Finance comments on the SRIA (PDF)

Department of Conservation's response to SRIA comments (PDF)
Pre-Rulemaking:
In 2017, DOC accepted public comment on the released Version 2 of pre-rulemaking draft regulations (discussion draft). DOC provided two separate drafts for review. One indicates the changes to current regulations, while the second draft shows the changes since the original discussion draft. The official rulemaking process will commence with the release of the formal draft regulations.
Discussion Draft Version 2 (amends current regulations)
Discussion Draft Version 2 (amends original Discussion Draft)
Public Notice
Version 1 of Discussion Draft Regulations
From January 21-March 4, 2016, DOC released Version 1 of its discussion draft regulations and held an informal public comment period.
Discussion Draft Version 1
Public Notice

Rulemakings in 2018

Rulemakings in 2016

Aquifer Exemption Compliance Schedule Regulations

Rulemakings in 2014

Rulemakings in 2010

Assembly Bill 1960 Oil/Gas Facilities Maintenance Regulations