BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1620 Page 1 Date of Hearing: March 28, 2012 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair AB 1620 (Wieckowski) - As Introduced: February 8, 2012 Policy Committee: Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Vote: 8-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill adds the following activities to those activities exempt from hazardous waste treatment requirements if the activities are conducted onsite or at facility with a hazardous waste storage permit: 1)Separation of air and particulate matter by physical means. 2)Compaction of compatible waste by physical means to reduce volume if the process does not increase the risk of fire or cause the release of hazardous gaseous emissions. FISCAL EFFECT Negligible state costs, if any. COMMENTS 1)Rationale . The sponsor-the California Association of Environmental Health Administrators-contends it is unnecessary to regulate as hazardous waste treatment low-risk activities, such as separating airborne dust from air and compacting oily rags, that meet the technical definition of hazardous waste treatment. The sponsor reports that the exemptions provided by this bill were developed by the Southern California Technical Hazardous Waste Advisory Group to the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Forum Board. 2)Background . Current law requires any person who stores, treats or disposes of hazardous waste to obtain a permit or authorization from the Department of Toxic Substances Control. AB 1620 Page 2 The law exempts certain activities from this requirement if they are performed onsite or at a facility with a hazardous waste permit. Analysis Prepared by : Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081