BILL ANALYSIS
SB 1523
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 1523 (Sher)
As Amended August 29, 2002
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :21-12
NATURAL RESOURCES 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 15-7
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Ayes:|Wayne, Dickerson, |Ayes:|Steinberg, Alquist, |
| |Jackson, Keeley, Koretz, | |Aroner, Corbett, Correa, |
| |Lowenthal, Migden, | |Diaz, Firebaugh, |
| |Pavley, Wyman | |Goldberg, Negrete McLeod, |
| | | |Papan, Pavley, Simitian, |
| | | |Washington, Wiggins, |
| | | |Wright |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | |Nays:|Bates, Ashburn, Daucher, |
| | | |Maldonado, |
| | | |Robert Pacheco, Runner, |
| | | |Zettel |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY : Requires every retailer or manufacturer that sells
Cathode Ray Tube devices (CRT devices) collect a Cathode Ray
Tube Recycling Fee (fee) on each CRT device. The bill also
establishes the Cathode Ray Tube Recycling Account (Account) for
the fees to be deposited, grant programs to expend the funds
from the Account and establishes the CRT Recycling Advisory
Committee. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires on and after January 1, 2004, every retailer or
manufacturer that sells CRT devices in the state to collect at
the point of sale, a fee of $10 on each CRT device.
2)Requires the California Integrated Waste Management Board
(CIWMB) to establish procedures for the imposition and
collection of the fee on CRT devices sold by retailers or
manufacturers directly to consumers.
3)Provides, to the extent necessary, that CIWMB collect
information from the manufacturers of CRT devices on their
sales of CRT devices, including any manufacturer's devices
SB 1523
Page 2
sold by retailers, and the fees paid on those devices.
4)Requires the proposed state law provisions to become
inoperative should a specific federal law establish a CRT
collection or recycling program, or a final court judgment is
issued declaring collection of fees from out-of-state
manufacturers or retailers may not be required.
5)Establishes the CRT Recycling Advisory Committee consisting of
various public, nonprofit, and private sector parties involved
in the manufacture, refurbishment, recycling, and disposal of
CRT's for the purposes of advising CIWMB on matters pertaining
to the expenditures of the account, the level of the recycling
fee, and the removal of impediments to recovery of CRT's for
recycling or reuse.
6)Establishes the Account, into which the fee is transmitted on
a quarterly basis, which shall be available to CIWMB upon
appropriation by the Legislature for the purposes of:
a) Providing grants to local governments to establish and
maintain local programs that provide for the convenient and
cost-effective collection and recycling of cathode ray
tubes and CRT devices;
b) Providing recycling incentive payments to CRT material
handlers that collect and process cathode ray tubes and CRT
devices;
c) Providing grants to nonprofit organizations that accept
and recycle cathode ray tubes and CRT devices for reuse;
d) Providing grants to manufacturers of CRT devices to
encourage consumers to return the devices for processing,
recycling, or reuse and to assist manufacturers in
collecting, processing, recycling, or reusing CRT devices;
and,
e) Establishing a public information program to educate the
public on the hazards of improper CRT device storage and
disposal and on the opportunities to recycle CRT devices
and provide funding to DTSC, upon appropriation, to
implement provisions relating to CRT devices.
1)Declares that on and after January 1, 2004, it is unlawful for
SB 1523
Page 3
a manufacturer or retailer to sell a CRT device directly to a
consumer in the state unless the fee has been paid on the CRT
device and a label issued by CIWMB for the CRT device has been
attached to that CRT device.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, this bill would potentially generate about $240
million annually and cost potentially $1.1 million in 2002-03
and $9.2 million in 2003-04.
COMMENTS : According to information from CIWMB and DTSC Web
sites: "E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic
products nearing the end of their 'useful life.' Computers,
televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common
electronic products. Many of these products can be reused,
refurbished, or recycled. Unfortunately, electronic discards is
one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's waste
stream. In addition, some researchers estimate that nearly 75
percent of old electronics are in storage, in part because of
the uncertainty over how to manage the materials. Combine this
with increasing advances in technology and new products headed
towards the market and it is no wonder that E-waste is a popular
topic."
The term "E-waste" is loosely applied to consumer and business
electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful
life. There is no clear definition for E-waste; for instance,
whether or not items like microwave ovens and other similar
"appliances" should be grouped into the category have not yet
been determined. Certain components of some electronic products
contain materials that render them hazardous, depending on their
condition and density.
CRTs convert an electronic signal into a visual image. A typical
CRT contains between two and five pounds of lead. Lead is a
toxic substance, which may cause lead poisoning and can be
especially harmful to young children. If products containing
lead are disposed of to the trash, the lead can potentially
contaminate the soil and our water supplies.
SB 1523
Page 4
Analysis Prepared by : Scott H. Valor / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092
FN: 0007738