BILL ANALYSIS
AB 3001
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Date of Hearing: April 3, 2006
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Loni Hancock, Chair
AB 3001 (Pavley) - As Introduced: February 24, 2006
SUBJECT : Solid waste: diversion: conversion.
SUMMARY : This bill adds personal computers to the Hazardous
Electronic Waste Recovery, Reuse, and Recycling Act of 2003
(Sher) (EWRA) Chapter 526, Statutes of 2003.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Enacts EWRA to provide for the reuse, recycling and proper
disposal of electronic waste.
2)Defines "covered electronic device" as a video display device
containing a screen greater than four inches.
3)Sets an "electronic waste fee" of $6, $8, or $10 upon the
purchase of new or refurbished covered electronic devices
based on screen size.
THIS BILL :
1)Defines "personal computer" as a box or tower that contains a
central processing unit.
2)Defines "central processing unit" as that part of a computer
that performs data manipulation functions, excluding any
associated peripheral devices (i.e., keyboard, mouse, printers
or disk drives not contained within the physical portion of
the unit).
3)Provides that on and after July 1, 2007, "covered electronic
device" will also include a personal computer.
4)Adds an electronic waste recycling fee of $6.00 for personal
computers.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS :
AB 3001
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1)Background
According to the author's office, California disposes over
500,000 tons of electronic waste every year. The Department of
Toxic Substances Control has determined that most electronic
devices are toxic, and as of February of this year were banned
from landfills.
In 2003, California enacted EWRA, which established the nation's
first e-waste recovery and recycling program on computer
monitors, televisions, and similar video display devices
(including lap top computers). The EWRA places a $6-$10 Advance
Recycling Fee on the sale of the devices, with funds used to
provide incentives for local governments, non-profits and
private recyclers to establish 'free and convenient' recycling
opportunities. Today, California has more than 430 electronic
waste recycling locations and recycles more than 1.7 million
computer monitors and televisions.
Unfortunately, for all of California's success with EWRA, all
other hazardous electronic devices that are not covered under
EWRA are not generally being recycled. According to the
author's office, less than half of the state's currently
disposed electronic waste is covered by the EWRA.
This measure will extend the EWRA to include all personal
computers that contain a central processing unit, covering more
than 110,000 tons of the electronic waste stream in California.
2)Dual Referral
This bill is a dual referral. Should the bill pass the Assembly
Natural Resources Committee it will be referred to the Assembly
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Californians Against Waste
Californians Refuse Removal Council
Solid Waste Association of North America
Opposition
AB 3001
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Hewlett Packard
Analysis Prepared by : Kyra Emanuels Ross / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092