BILL ANALYSIS
SB 624
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 624 (Romero)
As Amended August 16, 2010
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :36-0
NATURAL RESOURCES 7-0
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|Ayes:|Chesbro, Gilmore, | | |
| |Brownley, | | |
| |De Leon, Hill, Huffman, | | |
| |Logue | | |
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| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Declares intent to remove serpentine as the State Rock
and lithologic emblem, and removes the category of the state
rock from the Government Code. Specifically, this bill removes
serpentine as the official state rock and repeals Government
Code Section 425.2.
EXISTING LAW establishes serpentine as the official state rock
and lithologic emblem.
FISCAL EFFECT : Non-fiscal
COMMENTS : California has the widest variety of rock types of
any state. In 1965, California was the first state to designate
a state rock when it made serpentine its official state rock and
lithologic emblem with the passage of AB 265 (Gibson), Chapter
963, Statues of 1965. Serpentine is a metamorphic rock composed
of common rock-forming hydrous magnesium iron phyllosilicate
((Mg, Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4) minerals that may contain other elements
including chromium, manganese, cobalt and nickel. Serpentine is
formed via the hydration and metamorphic transformation of
ultrafamic rock from the earth's mantle, which occurs at
tectonic plate boundaries. In addition to serpentine's mining
significance in California, UC Davis Geology Professor Emeritus
Dr. Eldridge Moores describes serpentine soils often being
associated with gold mineral deposits in the foothills of the
Sierra Nevada mountain range and therefore a part of
California's gold rush history.
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Serpentine rock and soils are widespread within California.
Many rare plant species are limited to serpentine environments
including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Some of these
rare ecosystems and plant communities are unique to California
and are known world-wide for their presence here. Dr. Moores
also indicates that serpentine soils are also known to have the
ability to chemically fix carbon dioxide (CO2) into the solid
mineral magnesium carbonate. Due to this ability, serpentines
are increasingly considered for their carbon sequestration
abilities as California and the United States consider the
accumulation of greenhouse gases in the mitigation of global
warming. Approximately 20 kinds of serpentine exist, but the
three most common types of serpentine are antigorite, chrysotile
and lizardite, which are used in a variety of applications
including construction, art, jewelery, and textiles.
Chrysotile serpentine, also known as white asbestos, is the most
common form of asbestos. Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4. Chrysotile asbestos
has been heavily used in past years as a thermal and electrical
insulator material due to its flame-retardant and chemical
resistant properties. Commonly found in a fibrous form,
chrysotile asbestos is also flexible and strong, adding to its
appeal as a construction material. The word "asbestos" is of
Greek origin meaning "indestructible." Asbestos fibers can be
released during serpentine rock excavation, and can be
continually released if it has been used as a flooring or road
surface. Once asbestos has been made into an insulating form,
it will not necessarily release fibers into the air unless it is
disturbed. Amphibole serpentine is another type of asbestos
which is commonly associated with detrimental health effects
including cancer and asbestosis.
Asbestos has a long history of being hazardous to human health.
During the 1st century AD, Greek and Roman populations
observed that slaves responsible for weaving textiles
containing asbestos fibers often demonstrated pulmonary
illnesses. In the late 19th century in the midst of
industrialization, health problems associated with the
manufacturing with asbestos were observed in both Great
Britain and France. The author's office provided a 2006
scientific review of malignant mesothelioma mortality in the
United States from 1999 to 2001, published in the
International Journal of Occupational Environmental Health as
background material. Malignant mesothelioma is often
associated with, but not limited to, the human lung area, or
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pleura. Examining 7,524 cases of the cancer via death
certificates, the study found that, among other findings, that
persons including plumbers, pipefitters, mechanical engineers,
ship and boat builders/repairers, and industrial chemical
workers had a significantly elevated proportional mortality
ratio (PMR) for malignant mesothelioma. The PMR represents
the number of deaths from a specific cause in a specific
period of time per 100 deaths from all causes in the same
time. In its conclusions, the study indicates that it was not
able to make a definitive conclusion regarding the
relationship of the mesothelioma to that of asbestos or other
mineral fibers because that information was not included in
the death certificates. Malignant mesothelioma can be caused
by a variety of factors in the absence of asbestos exposure,
however there is a wealth of epidemiological research that
indicates that amphobile asbestos exposure can significantly
increase the risk of malignant mesothelioma.
The last operational Californian asbestos mine was closed in
2002.
Legislative history
AB 265 (Gibson), Chapter 2, Statues of 1965, established
serpentine as the official state rock and lithologic emblem of
the state of California. The bill was unanimously passed
through the state Senate and signed by Governor Edmund "Pat"
Brown possibly in order to encourage the state's asbestos mining
industry at the time.
SB 1678 (Gregorio), Chapter 1067, Statutes of 1976, established
the Occupational Carcinogen Control Act of 1976 (Act),
establishing California as the first state to actively inspect
for carcinogens in the workplace. The Act established that use
in the workplace of any of 16 known carcinogens, including
asbestos, be reported to the state.
In October, 2009, the Manhattan Beach City Council passed
Resolution 6223 which urged "the state Legislature to repeal the
designation of serpentine, the host of asbestos, as the official
state rock, in support of world eradication of asbestos for
public health as urged by the Asbestos Disease Awareness
Organization" (ADAO) as a part of its "Drop the Rock" campaign.
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Analysis Prepared by : Jessica Westbrook / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092
FN: 0005810