Sacramento – Earlier today, AB 248 a bill that will ensure that hazardous waste facilities are properly permitted by the state of California, passed out of the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee by a vote of 5-2. AB 248, which seeks to require hazardous waste facilities to submit completed renewals of their permits two years before their expirations is part of a larger package of bills aimed at reforming the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
“For far too long, pollution has disproportionally burdened our most vulnerable communities. AB248 takes important steps to bring Californians justice by reforming a drawn out process that has allowed hazardous waste facilities without adequate review to continue operating. This legislation will also provide increased transparency to the review process, empowering leaders to advocate on behalf of clean, safe, and thriving communities,” said Assemblymember Reyes at the introduction of the DTSC package.
AB248 along with the other bills in the DTSC package, were drafted in response to SB 83, signed in 2015, which established within the DTSC a three-member Independent Review Panel to make recommendations for improvement of the overall operations and management of the department. The next step for AB248 will be a hearing in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Assembly District 47 which includes the cities of Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino and the unincorporated areas of Muscoy and Bloomington.
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Contact: Matthew Hamlett, Matthew.hamlett@asm.ca.gov, (916) 319-2047