BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 686
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 24, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 686 (Quirk) - As Amended: May 7, 2013
Policy Committee: Environmental
Safety Vote: 7-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Toxic Substance Control
(DTSC) to develop recommendations for standards and guidelines
for the operation of on-site hazardous waste management and
recycling pharmaceutical manufacturing and processing
facilities. The report is required to be submitted by January
1, 2015 and identify any necessary statutory or regulatory
actions as specified.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Increased costs to DTSC from the Hazardous Waste Control
Account (HWCA) or GF in the $100,000 to $200,000 range.
Expenditures and revenues in the HWCA account are currently
about equal. While the account carries a small surplus, it is
used to pay monthly costs. It is unlikely DTSC would be able
to absorb this additional expenditure without a fee increase
or GF appropriation.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose. The author originally intended this bill to exempt
specified waste material from pharmaceutical manufacturing
used for cogeneration fuels from hazardous waste permitting
requirements if the manufacturer complies with the standards
under the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. As
amended in the Environmental Safety Committee, the bill
instead requires DTSC to study the issue and make
recommendations to the Legislature.
AB 686
Page 2
2)Existing California law allows for hazards waste treatment
permits . Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities must
currently receive DTSC hazardous waste permits for treatment
or storage of hazardous waste, including those proposed to be
burned. According to DTSC, the sponsors of this legislation
have the option of seeking a hazardous waste treatment
facility permit for the treatment of the hazardous waste at
the manufacturing site. To date, no permit applications have
been submitted by any pharmaceutical manufactures.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081