BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 45
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Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
45 (Mullin) - As Amended April 30, 2015
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|Policy |Local Government |Vote:|6 - 3 |
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| |Environmental Safety and Toxic | |4 - 2 |
| |Materials | | |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
Yes
SUMMARY:
This bill requires local jurisdictions that provide for the
residential collection and disposal of solid waste to increase
AB 45
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the collection and diversion of household hazardous waste (HHW),
as defined. Specifically, this bill:
1)Exempts jurisdictions that do not provide for the residential
collection and disposal of solid waste from the requirements
of the bill.
2)Authorizes CalRecycle to adopt regulations for implementation
and a model ordinance for the collection of HHW.
3)Requires, on or before July 1, 2016, each jurisdiction to
inform CalRecycle of its HHW baseline collection and diversion
amount.
4)Requires, on or before July 1, 2020, each jurisdiction to
increase its HHW collection and diversion by 15% over its
baseline amount. Allows an additional two years for
compliance for any jurisdiction that has adopted a
comprehensive program.
5)Requires, jurisdictions to annually report to CalRecycle
beginning January 1, 2020.
FISCAL EFFECT:
1) Increased annual costs to CalRecyle in the range of
$500,000 to $700,000 (special fund).
2) Unknown significant reimbursable local costs,
potentially in the hundreds of thousands to millions of
dollars range (GF).
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COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, althought it is illegal to
dispose of HHW in the trash, down the drain, or by
abandonment, people may not know the hazardous effects of
these products on human health, animals and the environment.
The author further states, data shows California averages a
convenience or participation rate of only 7%. Although there
are other means of collecting HHW products, this paltry
participation rate shows how much improvement the state can
make in the future.
This bill requires local jurisdictions to divert, reduce or
increase participation rates of household hazardous waste
(HHW) from landfills and waterways.
2)Background. Universal waste, which is regulated by the
Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), is primarily
from consumer products containing mercury, lead, cadmium and
other substances that are hazardous to human health and the
environment. Examples of universal waste are batteries,
fluorescent tubes, and many electronic devices. These items
cannot be discarded in household trash, nor disposed of in
landfills.
Current law requires each city and county to prepare, adopt
and submit an HHW plan, as part of its integrated waste
management plan, for the safe collection, recycling,
treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes generated by
households.
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A local jurisdiction may implement its HHW plan in a variety
of ways, including door-to-door collection, periodic
community-wide or neighborhood HHW collection, permanent HHW
drop-off sites, and collection events.
Each jurisdiction in California is mandated to submit a form
annually to CalRecycle (Form 303) with data regarding the
amount of HHW, including universal waste and other related
waste collected by local programs and the methods for managing
these waste streams. There are currently 209 local agencies
participating in the submission of Form 303.
3)Related Legislation. AB 1159 (Gordon), also on today's
agenda, establishes a pilot product stewardship program for
the management of medical sharps and household primary
batteries. This Committee will hear this bill today.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916)
319-2081