BILL NUMBER: SB 421	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hancock

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2015

   An act relating to refineries.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 421, as introduced, Hancock. Refineries: turnarounds.
   Existing law requires a petroleum refinery employer to, every
September 15, submit to the Division of Occupational Safety and
Health information regarding planned turnarounds, as defined, for the
following calendar year and provide onsite access to the division
for inspection. Existing law establishes procedures for the public
disclosure of turnaround information designated a trade secret,
including authorization for a petroleum refinery employer to seek a
declaratory judgment to prevent disclosure. Existing law requires a
court to award attorney's fees to a party that prevails in an action
to compel or prohibit the division from disclosing turnaround
information.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would clarify the above-described process for public
disclosure of trade secret information, and ensure that a petroleum
refinery employer is not authorized to collect attorney's fees from
individuals or organizations seeking those records.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would clarify the public disclosure process for
petroleum refinery turnaround information required to be given to the
Division of Occupational Safety and Health, and would ensure that
this process does not authorize a petroleum refinery employer to
collect attorney's fees from individuals or organizations seeking
those records.