BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                       



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          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                    SB 22|
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                                 THIRD READING


          Bill No:  SB 22
          Author:   Simitian (D)
          Amended:  As introduced
          Vote:     21

           
           SENATE ENV. QUALITY COMMITTEE  :  5-1, 1/4/10
          AYES:  Simitian, Corbett, Hancock, Lowenthal, Pavley
          NOES:  Runner

           SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE  :  Senate Rule 28.8


           SUBJECT  :    Hazardous materials:  toxic substances

           SOURCE  :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This bill clarifies the authority of the Office  
          of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment regarding  
          procedures to expedite review and identification of hazard  
          traits of chemical ingredients in products.

           ANALYSIS  :    

          Existing law:

          1. Authorizes the Department of Toxic Substances Control  
             (DTSC), by January 1, 2011, to adopt regulations to  
             establish a process to identify and prioritize chemicals  
             or chemical ingredients in products that may be  
             considered a "chemical of concern," in accordance with a  
             review process, as specified pursuant to the California  
                                                           CONTINUED





                                                                 SB 22
                                                                Page  
          2

             Hazardous Substances Act.

          2. Creates the Toxics Information Clearinghouse, including  
             the following:

             A.    Requires the Office of Environmental Health Hazard  
                Assessment (OEHHA), by January 1, 2011, to evaluate  
                and specify hazard traits and other data to be  
                included in the Clearinghouse, as specified.

             B.    Requires DTSC to develop requirements and  
                standards related to the design of the Clearinghouse  
                and data quality and test methods that govern the  
                data which is made available to the public, including  
                data sharing, as specified.

          This bill authorizes the OEHHA to recommend procedures for  
          expediting the review and identification of hazard traits,  
          including pending and proposed actions by other states, the  
          federal government, and other nations to limit hazardous  
          materials in products.
          
           Comments
           
          This bill is intended to further clarify and advance the  
          development of the Toxics Information Clearinghouse,  
          created by SB 509 (Simitian), Chapter 560, Statutes of  
          2008.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Appropriation:  No   Fiscal Com.:  Yes    
          Local:  No

          TSM:mw  1/20/10   Senate Floor Analyses 

                       SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  NONE RECEIVED

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