BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2812 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 11, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Lorena Gonzalez, Chair AB 2812 (Gordon) - As Introduced February 19, 2016 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Natural Resources |Vote:|9 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable: Yes SUMMARY: This bill requires state agencies to provide and maintain recycling receptacles in state buildings and large state facilities based on standards adopted by CalRecycle. Specifically, this bill: 1)Requires CalRecycle to adopt requirements for adequate receptacles and staffing for collecting and storing recyclable materials in state buildings and facilities by July 1, 2017. AB 2812 Page 2 2)Defines "recyclable materials" as all paper, plastic, and metal products accepted by the applicable city, county, or local agency for recycling. 3)Requires state agencies and facilities to provide receptacles for recyclable materials, provide staffing, and establish a collection schedule for recyclable materials by July 1, 2018, 4)Requires state agencies and facilities to review the adequacy and condition of receptacles for recyclable materials and associated signage at least annually. 5)Requires state agencies to include a summary of the agency's compliance with the bill's requirements in their annual report to CalRecycle. 6)Declares that if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement shall be made to local agencies and school districts. FISCAL EFFECT: 1)Increased administrative costs of approximately $145,000 per year for 2 years for CalRecyle to gather information, adopt requirements, conduct outreach and update the electronic annual report to reflect new reporting requirements. Ongoing absorbable costs for monitoring. 2)Unknown, potentially significant state costs to provide receptacles, staff, and establish a collection schedule at each state agency and facility. AB 2812 Page 3 3)Unknown, potentially significant reimbursable state costs to reimburse local agencies and school districts if this bill is determined to be a reimbursable state-mandate. COMMENTS: 1)Purpose. According to the author, by ensuring that state employees have adequate opportunity to recycle their solid waste in the workplace, the state will lead by example and play a major role in contributing to the state's ambitious diversion goals. 2)Background. CalRecycle is tasked with diverting at least 75% of solid waste statewide by 2020. Recycling reduces disposal costs, creates jobs, reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and conserves resources. According to CalRecycle, this represents the next phase of waste management in California that makes current landfill diversion programs equal partners with materials management programs to achieve the highest and best use of all materials in California. These goals cannot be met without motivation and actions at multiple levels within the public and private sectors. California's state agencies play an essential role in meeting the state's waste reduction requirements. In 2011, AB 341 (Chesbro), Chapter 476, Statutes of 2011 required businesses, including state agencies, that generate four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week to arrange for recycling services. 3)Waste reduction and GHGs. Recycling provides significant GHG reductions over landfilling. The Air Resources Board's First Update to the Climate Change Scoping Plan identified waste management as a key sector for GHG emissions reductions and AB 2812 Page 4 determined that meeting the state's 75% recycling goal is the best path forward to maximizing GHG emission reductions from the Waste Management Sector and puts California on the path for even greater GHG emission reductions in the future. Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081