BILL ANALYSIS �
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 178
Author: Simitian (D)
Amended: 4/12/11
Vote: 21
SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE : 4-1, 3/21/11
AYES: Simitian, Hancock, Kehoe, Lowenthal
NOES: Strickland
NO VOTE RECORDED: Blakeslee, Pavley
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 5-3, 4/11/11
AYES: Kehoe, Alquist, Pavley, Price, Steinberg
NOES: Walters, Emmerson, Runner
NO VOTE RECORDED: Lieu
SUBJECT : Hazardous materials: green chemistry
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill allows the Green Ribbon Science Panel
to form subgroups to consider and report to the full panel
and the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on
specific priority topics identified by the department.
This bill provides meetings conducted by all subgroups
formed in aggregate, shall not exceed 10 meetings during a
fiscal year, and a meeting conducted by a subgroup is to be
held in a cost-effective manner to minimize the costs
incurred by the meeting.
ANALYSIS : Existing law (1) requires the DTSC to adopt
CONTINUED
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regulations to (a) establish a process to identify and
prioritize chemicals or chemical ingredients in products
that may be considered a "chemical of concern;" (b)
establish a process for evaluating chemicals of concern in
products, and their potential alternatives, in order to
determine how best to limit exposure or to reduce the level
of hazard posed by a chemical of concern, as specified, and
(c) establish a process that includes an evaluation of the
availability of potential alternatives and potential
hazards posed by alternatives, as well as an evaluation of
critical exposure pathways, (2) establishes the Green
Ribbon Science panel to advise DTSC on green chemistry, and
(3) requires DTSC to establish a Toxics Information
Clearinghouse for the collection, maintenance, and
distribution of specific chemical hazard traits and
environmental and toxicological end-point data. The bill
also requires the Office of Environmental Health Hazard
Assessment to evaluate and specify the hazard traits and
environmental and toxicological end-points and any other
relevant data that are to be included in the clearinghouse.
According to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee
analysis, it was the intent of the Legislature, in passing
SB 509 (Simitian), Chapter 560, Statutes of 2008, and AB
1879 (Feuer), Chapter 559, Statutes of 2008, to build an
effective, comprehensive and transparent chemical policy by
which chemicals and chemically-formulated products are
evaluated and regulated and to encourage innovation and
growth in this industry towards a cleaner, healthier and
more environmentally-sustainable market for California. AB
1879 provided for the creation of the Green Chemistry
Science Panel to advise the DTSC on the implementation of
California's Green Chemistry Initiative. This bill simply
clarifies the advisory role of the Green Ribbon Science
Panel in the development and implementation of the Green
Chemistry Regulations by expressly stating the panel's
authority to conduct subgroup meetings to consider specific
priority topics.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
Senate Appropriation Committee's staff estimates that 10
subgroup meetings by teleconference would cost up to
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$40,000 per year.
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/12/11)
Breast Cancer Fund
Dr. Megan Schwarzman, Green Ribbon Science Panel Member
Environmental Working Group
DLW:kc 4/13/11 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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