BILL NUMBER: AB 2286 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
CHAPTER 571
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 13, 2008
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 15, 2008
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 6, 2008
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 23, 2008
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 12, 2008
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 23, 2008
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 8, 2008
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 25, 2008
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Feuer
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Huffman)
(Coauthor: Senator Oropeza)
FEBRUARY 21, 2008
An act to amend Section 25404 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to aboveground storage tanks.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2286, Feuer. Unified hazardous waste and hazardous materials.
(1) Existing law requires the Secretary for Environmental
Protection to implement a unified hazardous waste and hazardous
materials management regulatory program. A city or local agency that
meets specified requirements is authorized to apply to the secretary
to implement the unified program, and every county is required to
apply to the secretary to be certified to implement the unified
program.
Existing law provides that as funding becomes available, the
secretary shall maintain a statewide database. Existing law also
requires each certified unified program agency to institute a single
fee system to implement the consolidation of certain hazardous waste
requirements and to ensure the coordination and consistency of any
regulations adopted pursuant to those requirements. Existing law
requires the single fee system to include an assessment of a
surcharge on each person regulated by the unified program, the amount
of which shall be determined by the secretary annually, to cover the
necessary and reasonable costs of the state agencies in carrying out
their responsibilities in a unified hazardous waste and hazardous
materials management regulatory program.
This bill would, instead, require that in addition to any other
funding that becomes available, the secretary shall increase the
oversight surcharge by an amount necessary to establish the data
system, but not to exceed $25 each year for 3 years, to establish the
statewide information management system, and would provide that not
less than 75% of that funding shall be provided to certified unified
program agencies and participating agencies through grant funds for
the purposes of the system. The bill would require the secretary to
establish milestones to measure the implementation of the information
management system and provide periodic status updates to interested
parties.
This bill would require certified unified program agencies and
participating agencies to report program data electronically not
later than 3 years after the information management system is
established.
The bill would require the secretary to provide technical
assistance to regulated businesses to comply with the electronic
reporting requirements and authorize the use of funds from the
oversight surcharge for that purpose.
This bill would require a facility that is subject to the unified
program and owned or operated by the federal government to pay the
increased surcharge to the extent authorized by federal law.
The bill would impose a state-mandated local program by imposing
new duties upon local agencies with regard to the implementation of
the information management system.
(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 25404 of the Health and Safety Code is amended
to read:
25404. (a) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:
(1) (A) "Certified Unified Program Agency" or "CUPA" means the
agency certified by the secretary to implement the unified program
specified in this chapter within a jurisdiction.
(B) "Participating Agency" or "PA" means a state or local agency
that has a written agreement with the CUPA pursuant to subdivision
(d) of Section 25404.3, and is approved by the secretary, to
implement or enforce one or more of the unified program elements
specified in subdivision (c), in accordance with Sections 25404.1 and
25404.2.
(C) "Unified Program Agency" or "UPA" means the CUPA, or its
participating agencies to the extent each PA has been designated by
the CUPA, pursuant to a written agreement, to implement or enforce a
particular unified program element specified in subdivision (c). The
UPAs have the responsibility and authority to implement and enforce
the requirements listed in subdivision (c), and the regulations
adopted to implement the requirements listed in subdivision (c), to
the extent provided by Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100),
Chapter 6.67 (commencing with Section 25270), Chapter 6.7 (commencing
with Section 25280), Chapter 6.95 (commencing with Section 25500),
and Sections 25404.1 and 25404.2. After a CUPA has been certified by
the secretary, the unified program agencies and the state agencies
carrying out responsibilities under this chapter shall be the only
agencies authorized to enforce the requirements listed in subdivision
(c) within the jurisdiction of the CUPA.
(2) "Department" means the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
(3) "Minor violation" means the failure of a person to comply with
any requirement or condition of any applicable law, regulation,
permit, information request, order, variance, or other requirement,
whether procedural or substantive, of the unified program that the
UPA is authorized to implement or enforce pursuant to this chapter,
and that does not otherwise include any of the following:
(A) A violation that results in injury to persons or property, or
that presents a significant threat to human health or the
environment.
(B) A knowing, willful, or intentional violation.
(C) A violation that is a chronic violation, or that is committed
by a recalcitrant violator. In determining whether a violation is
chronic or a violator is recalcitrant, the UPA shall consider whether
there is evidence indicating that the violator has engaged in a
pattern of neglect or disregard with respect to applicable regulatory
requirements.
(D) A violation that results in an emergency response from a
public safety agency.
(E) A violation that enables the violator to benefit economically
from the noncompliance, either by reduced costs or competitive
advantage.
(F) A class I violation as provided in Section 25117.6.
(G) A class II violation committed by a chronic or a recalcitrant
violator, as provided in Section 25117.6.
(H) A violation that hinders the ability of the UPA to determine
compliance with any other applicable local, state, or federal rule,
regulation, information request, order, variance, permit, or other
requirement.
(4) "Secretary" means the Secretary for Environmental Protection.
(5) "Unified program facility" means all contiguous land and
structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on the land that
are subject to the requirements listed in subdivision (c).
(6) "Unified program facility permit" means a permit issued
pursuant to this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, a unified
program facility permit encompasses the permitting requirements of
Section 25284, and any permit or authorization requirements under any
local ordinance or regulation relating to the generation or handling
of hazardous waste or hazardous materials, but does not encompass
the permitting requirements of a local ordinance that incorporates
provisions of the Uniform Fire Code or the Uniform Building Code.
(b) The secretary shall adopt implementing regulations and
implement a unified hazardous waste and hazardous materials
management regulatory program, which shall be known as the unified
program, after holding an appropriate number of public hearings
throughout the state. The unified program shall be developed in close
consultation with the director, the Director of the Office of
Emergency Services, the State Fire Marshal, the executive officers
and chairpersons of the State Water Resources Control Board and the
California regional water quality control boards, the local health
officers, local fire services, and other appropriate officers of
interested local agencies, and affected businesses and interested
members of the public, including environmental organizations.
(c) The unified program shall consolidate the administration of
the following requirements, and shall, to the maximum extent feasible
within statutory constraints, ensure the coordination and
consistency of any regulations adopted pursuant to those
requirements:
(1) (A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the
requirements of Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100), and the
regulations adopted by the department pursuant thereto, are
applicable to all of the following:
(i) Hazardous waste generators, persons operating pursuant to a
permit-by-rule, conditional authorization, or conditional exemption,
pursuant to Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100) or the
regulations adopted by the department.
(ii) Persons managing perchlorate materials.
(iii) Persons subject to Article 10.1 (commencing with Section
25211) of Chapter 6.5.
(B) The unified program shall not include the requirements of
paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 25200.3, the requirements
of Sections 25200.10 and 25200.14, and the authority to issue an
order under Sections 25187 and 25187.1, with regard to those portions
of a unified program facility that are subject to one of the
following:
(i) A corrective action order issued by the department pursuant to
Section 25187.
(ii) An order issued by the department pursuant to Chapter 6.8
(commencing with Section 25300) or Chapter 6.85 (commencing with
Section 25396).
(iii) A remedial action plan approved pursuant to Chapter 6.8
(commencing with Section 25300) or Chapter 6.85 (commencing with
Section 25396).
(iv) A cleanup and abatement order issued by a California regional
water quality control board pursuant to Section 13304 of the Water
Code, to the extent that the cleanup and abatement order addresses
the requirements of the applicable section or sections listed in this
subparagraph.
(v) Corrective action required under subsection (u) of Section
6924 of Title 42 of the United States Code or subsection (h) of
Section 6928 of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(vi) An environmental assessment pursuant to Section 25200.14 or a
corrective action pursuant to Section 25200.10 or paragraph (3) of
subdivision (c) of Section 25200.3, that is being overseen by the
department.
(C) The unified program shall not include the requirements of
Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100), and the regulations
adopted by the department pursuant thereto, applicable to persons
operating transportable treatment units, except that any required
notice regarding transportable treatment units shall also be provided
to the CUPAs.
(2) The requirements of Chapter 6.67 (commencing with Section
25270) concerning aboveground storage tanks.
(3) (A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the
requirements of Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 25280)
concerning underground storage tanks and the requirements of any
underground storage tank ordinance adopted by a city or county.
(B) The unified program may not include the responsibilities
assigned to the State Water Resources Control Board pursuant to
Section 25297.1.
(C) The unified program may not include the corrective action
requirements of Sections 25296.10 to 25296.40, inclusive.
(4) The requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 25500)
of Chapter 6.95 concerning hazardous material release response plans
and inventories.
(5) The requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 25531)
of Chapter 6.95, concerning the accidental release prevention
program.
(6) The requirements of subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 80.103
of the Uniform Fire Code, as adopted by the State Fire Marshal
pursuant to Section 13143.9 concerning hazardous material management
plans and inventories.
(d) To the maximum extent feasible within statutory constraints,
the secretary shall consolidate, coordinate, and make consistent
these requirements of the unified program with other requirements
imposed by other federal, state, regional, or local agencies upon
facilities regulated by the unified program.
(e) (1) The secretary shall establish standards applicable to
CUPAs, participating agencies, state agencies, and businesses
specifying the data to be collected and submitted by unified program
agencies in administering the programs listed in subdivision (c).
Those standards shall incorporate any standard developed under
Section 25503.3.
(2) (A) No later than January 1, 2010, the secretary shall
establish a statewide information management system capable of
receiving all data collected by the unified program agencies and
reported by regulated businesses pursuant to this subdivision and
Section 25504.1, in a manner that is most cost efficient and
effective for both the regulated businesses and state and local
agencies. The secretary shall prescribe an XML or other compatible
Web-based format for the transfer of data from CUPAs and regulated
businesses and make all nonconfidential data available on the
Internet.
(B) The secretary shall establish milestones to measure the
implementation of the statewide information management system and
shall provide periodic status updates to interested parties.
(3) (A) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in addition to
any other funding that becomes available, the secretary shall
increase the oversight surcharge provided for in subdivision (b) of
Section 25404.5 by an amount necessary to meet the requirements of
this subdivision for a period of three years, to establish the
statewide information management system, consistent with paragraph
(2). The increase in the oversight surcharge shall not exceed
twenty-five dollars ($25) in any one year of the three-year period.
The secretary shall thereafter maintain the statewide information
management system, funded by the assessment the secretary is
authorized to impose pursuant to Section 25404.5.
(ii) No less than 75 percent of the additional funding raised
pursuant to clause (i) shall be provided to CUPAs and PAs through
grant funds in the amounts determined by the secretary to assist
these local agencies in meeting these information management system
requirements.
(B) A facility that is owned or operated by the federal government
and that is subject to the unified program shall pay the surcharge
required by this paragraph to the extent authorized by federal law.
(C) The secretary, or one or more of the boards, departments, or
offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency, shall
seek available federal funding for purposes of implementing this
subdivision.
(4) No later than three years after the statewide information
management system is established, each CUPA, PA, and regulated
business shall report program data electronically. The secretary
shall work with the CUPAs to develop a phased in schedule for the
electronic collection and submittal of information to be included in
the statewide information management system, giving first priority to
information relating to those chemicals determined by the secretary
to be of greatest concern. The secretary, in making this
determination shall consult with the CUPAs, the Office of Emergency
Services, the State Fire Marshal, and the boards, departments, and
offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency. The
information initially included in the statewide information
management system shall include, but is not limited to, the hazardous
materials inventory information required to be submitted pursuant to
Section 25504.1 for perchlorate materials.
(5) The secretary, in collaboration with the CUPAs, shall provide
technical assistance to regulated businesses to comply with the
electronic reporting requirements and may expend funds identified in
clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) for that purpose.
SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a
local agency or school district has the authority to levy service
charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or
level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section
17556 of the Government Code.