BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 1280
                                                                  Page 1

          Date of Hearing:  April 20, 2009

                       ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
                                Nancy Skinner, Chair
                 AB 1280 (Adams) - As Introduced:  February 27, 2009
           
          SUBJECT  :  Electronic waste recycling

           SUMMARY  :  Exempts from the definition of a covered electronic  
          device (CED) a video display device that is contained within a  
          freezer, induction cooktop or range, beverage maker, and food  
          steamer.

           EXISTING LAW  , pursuant to Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003  
          (Act): 

          1)Requires a retailer selling a CED in California to collect a  
            recycling fee from the consumer.  Fees are deposited into the  
            Electronic Waste Recovery and Recycling Account, which is  
            continually appropriated to the California Integrated Waste  
            Management Board (CIWMB) and the Department of Toxic  
            Substances Control (DTSC) to make electronic waste recovery  
            payments to cover the net cost of an authorized collector in  
            operating a "free and convenient" system for collecting,  
            consolidating, and transporting CEDs, and to make electronic  
            waste recycling payments to cover an electronic waste  
            recycler's average net cost of receiving, processing, and  
            recycling CEDs.  

          2)Defines "covered electronic device" as a video display device  
            containing a screen greater than four inches, measured  
            diagonally, and identified in regulations adopted by DTSC.   
            Excludes from this definition a video display device in a  
            piece of industrial, commercial, or medical equipment and a  
            video display device in a clothes washer, dryer, refrigerator,  
            refrigerator and freezer, microwave oven, conventional oven or  
            range, dishwasher, room air-conditioner, dehumidifier, or air  
            purifier.  

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  Unknown

           COMMENTS  :

          The Act exempts from the definition of a CED common household  
          appliances that are likely to contain video display devices,  








                                                                  AB 1280
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          including a refrigerator and a refrigerator and freezer  
          combination.  However, the Act did not include a stand alone  
          freezer.  Additionally, the existing list does not include newer  
          technology, including touch-screen features on relatively  
          inexpensive appliances such as food steamers and hot beverage  
          makers.  

          The author states that adding these newer appliances to the  
          existing exemptions is consistent with existing law.  Supporters  
          of the bill argue that adding the recycling fee ($8 for screens  
          between 4 and 15 inches) to an inexpensive kitchen appliance  
          quickly makes it prohibitively expensive.   









































                                                                  AB 1280
                                                                 Page 3

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :

           Support 
           
          California Retailers Association
          STS Ventures, LLC (sponsor)

           Opposition 
           
          None on file
           

          Analysis Prepared by  :  Elizabeth MacMillan / NAT. RES. / (916)  
          319-2092