BILL ANALYSIS
AB 903
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 13, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 903 (Chesbro) - As Introduced: February 26, 2009
Policy Committee: Natural
ResourcesVote:7-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill requires state agencies to include information on
electronic waste (e-waste) reduction and disposal in their
annual report to the California Integrated Waste Management
Board (CIWMB) relating to solid waste reduction.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor absorbable costs to various state agencies.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The author contends the reporting requirements
included in this bill will encourage state agencies to more
accurately track the amount of e-waste they generate, recycle
and throw away.
2)California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989. The act
requires state agencies to adopt an integrated waste
management plan and to divert at least 50% of all solid waste
from landfill disposal and transformation by January 1, 2004.
Each state agency must submit an annual report to CIWMB
summarizing the agency's progress in diverting solid waste.
At a minimum, the plan must include:
a) Calculations of annual disposal reduction;
b) Information on changes in waste generated or disposed
due to changes in the number of employees, economics, or
other factors;
AB 903
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c) A summary of progress made in implementing the agency's
integrated waste management plan; and,
d) The extent to which the agency intends to utilize local
government programs or facilities for the handling,
diversion, and disposal of solid waste.
1)E-waste. E-waste is solid waste that results from the
discarding of electronic devices at the end of their useful
lives. Common electronic devices that contribute to e-waste
include computer monitors, televisions, and cell phones.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, e-waste
might contain lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame
retardants, substances known to have negative effects on the
environment and public health. For this reason, California
regulates the disposal of e-waste and prohibits many e-waste
items from being disposed of in the trash.
SB 20 (Sher, Chapter 526, Statutes of 2003) established the
Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 to provide for the
convenient recycling of covered electronic devices in
California. Administered by the Department of Toxic
Substances Control (DTSC) and CIWMB, the program to
implement the act is funded by an advanced recycling fee
paid on covered electronic devices.
2)State Agencies Mishandle E-waste, Says State Auditor . In
November 2008, the State Auditor released a report of many
state agencies handling of e-waste. The State Auditor found
that, contrary to state regulation prohibiting the practice,
five agencies discarded electronic devices by throwing the
devices in the trash. Because e-waste can contain toxic
metals, the State Auditor asserts that these state agencies
may have contributed to environmental contamination that can
pose a threat to public health and safety.
Analysis Prepared by : Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081