BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 960
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Date of Hearing: May 11, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 960 (Bonnie Lowenthal) - As Introduced: February 18, 2011
Policy Committee: Natural
ResourcesVote:6-3
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials6-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill requires an exporter of electronic waste (e-waste) to
demonstrate that the waste it exports will be recycled or
disposed of consistent with applicable state, national, and
international laws and guidelines. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires a person who exports e-waste to a foreign country to
comply with the same requirements imposed on an exporter of
covered electronic waste (CEW) (defined as a video display
device containing a screen greater than four diagonal inches
and that has been discarded.)
2)Defines "electronic waste" as an electronic device, not
including CEW, which is discarded and identified as hazardous
waste under the Health and Safety Code and includes, but is
not limited to, cash registers, oscilloscopes, computers,
computer peripherals, telephones, answering machines, radios,
stereo equipment, tape players, recorders, phonographs, video
cassette players or recorders, compact disc players or
recorders, calculators, and appliances.
3)Requires, as a condition of payment under the E-Waste Act, a
CEW recycler to demonstrate to the Department of Recycling and
Resources Recovery (Calrecycle) that no CEW is exported to a
country in violation of the laws or requirements of that
country and that all e-waste handled by the recycler
requesting payment has been managed consistent with the act's
exporting requirements.
FISCAL EFFECT
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1)One-time costs to Calrecycle, ranging approximately from
$800,000 to $1.4 million, in 2011-12 to establish protocols to
monitor and handle transactions, research and verify export
demonstrations, and interpret legal documents. (Electronic
Waste Recovery and Recycling Account (EWRRA).)
2)Ongoing costs to Calrecycle, ranging from $800,000 to $1.4
million, starting in 2012-13 and potentially increasing
thereafter, to monitor and handle transactions, research and
verify export demonstrations, and interpret legal documents.
(EWRRA.)
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The author intends to subject all electronic waste
exported out of California to the same requirements meant to
ensure the waste is handled by the importer in a way that
protects human and environmental health.
2)Background . The Electronic Waste Act intends to provide a
cost-free and convenient means for consumers to return,
recycle, and ensure the safe and environmentally-sound
disposal of a video display device containing a screen greater
than four diagonal inches. Such devices are known as covered
electronic devices and, when discarded, as covered electronic
waste. Upon purchase of a new or refurbished CED, a consumer
pays a CEW recycling fee of $6 to $10 for each CED, the amount
depending on screen size. Fee revenue pays CEW collectors and
recyclers for the cost of collecting and recycling CEW
generated in the state.
A person who exports CEW must demonstrate to the Department of
Toxic Substances Control, not Calrecycle, that the waste will
be managed at facilities with operations that meet or exceed
the binding decisions and implementing guidelines of the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
members of which prohibit exporting hazardous waste to
non-OECD countries unless the waste is sent to an adequate
disposal facility.
3)Related Legislation .
a) AB 549 (Carter) , currently pending before this
committee, would codify electronic waste regulations and
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practices issued and employed by the Department of
Recycling and Resources Recovery (Calrecycle).
b) AB 794 (Wieckowski) , currently pending before this
committee, would impose civil liability against a CEW
recycler or collector for false statements or
representations codifies current practice of Calrecycle to
conduct reviews and audits related to the operations of CEW
recyclers and collectors.
4)Support. This bill is supported by Californians Against Waste
(sponsor) and the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and other
organizations that seek to reduce waste and promote recycling.
5)There is no registered opposition to this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081