Workforce development: Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Pilot Program: extension., the official text

An act to repeal Section 9925 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, relating to workforce development.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

Existing law establishes, until July 1, 2027, the Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Pilot Program, to be administered by the Employment Development Department (department), for the purpose of addressing employment dislocations associated with oil, gas, and related industries. That program requires the department, using funds to be appropriated by the Legislature for purposes of the program, to award grants on a competitive basis to qualified applicants, as specified, for specified eligible activities.
This bill would extend the program indefinitely by removing the July 1, 2027, repeal date.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) The economic threats facing oil and gas workers are immense as refineries shut down across the state.
(2) In 2020 and 2021, the closure of Marathon’s Martinez Refinery and the closure of the Phillips 66 Santa Maria Refinery displaced over 600 full-time workers and between 250 and 2,500 contract workers.
(3) More than 300 full-time workers experienced layoffs after the Phillips 66 refinery closure in Los Angeles at the end of 2025.
(4) Additionally, the Valero Benicia refinery closure in 2026 stands to impact hundreds of additional workers.
(5) Surveys of impacted workers reveal that, more than a year after their layoffs, many remain unemployed or underemployed and struggle to pay basic bills.
(6) Oil and gas workers are best positioned to understand the needs of impacted communities and craft effective responses.
(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to do both of the following:
(1) Provide urgent and practical solutions for oil and gas workers to remain full and active participants in California’s economy as an increasing number face industry closure and layoffs.
(2) Establish a program that will provide the comprehensive approach needed to successfully transition workers into new, secure, high-skill careers, while maintaining economic stability for workers, their families, and their communities.

SEC. 2.
Section 9925 of the Unemployment Insurance Code is repealed.