BILL NUMBER: AB 1239INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Gordon and Atkins FEBRUARY 27, 2015 An act to amend Section 42885 of the Public Resources Code, relating to tire recycling. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1239, as introduced, Gordon. Tire recycling: California tire regulatory fee. The California Tire Recycling Act requires, until January 1, 2024, a person who purchases a new tire to pay a California tire fee of $1.75 per tire, for deposit in the California Tire Recycling Management Fund, for expenditure by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery upon appropriation by the Legislature, to fund the waste tire program and for other purposes, including to pay for the costs associated with a waste tire and used tire hauler program and manifest system, as provided. After January 1, 2024, existing law reduces the tire fee to $0.75 per tire. Existing law requires any person generating waste tires or used tires that are transported or submitted for transportation, for offsite handling, altering, storage, disposal, or for any combination thereof, to complete a California Uniform Waste and Used Tire Manifest, as required by the department. Existing law requires a generator to provide the manifest to the waste and used tire hauler at the time of transfer of the tires, and to submit to the department, on a quarterly schedule, a legible copy of each manifest. This bill would require a waste tire generator, as defined, to pay a California regulatory tire fee according to a schedule of amounts to be determined by the department. For a waste tire generator that is a retail seller of new tires to end user purchasers, the bill would authorize the department to determine the California tire regulatory fee in an amount that is sufficient to generate revenues equivalent to the reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the department incident to audits, inspections, administrative costs, adjudications, manifesting, registration, and other regulatory activities regarding these waste tire generators, but not to exceed $1.25 per new tire sold, as provided. For waste tire generators that are not retail sellers, the bill would authorize the department to determine the amount of the California tire regulatory fee in a amount that is sufficient to generate revenues equivalent to the reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the department incident to audits, inspections, administrative costs, adjudications, manifesting, registration, and other regulatory activities regarding those waste tire generators, depending upon the nature of the activity generating waste tires, the number of waste tires generated, and other appropriate bases. The bill would prohibit the aggregate amount of California tire regulatory fees imposed to exceed the aggregate reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the department incident to audits, inspections, administrative costs, adjudications, manifesting, registration, and other regulatory costs for regulating waste tire generators. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 42885 of the Public Resources Code, as amended by Section 31 of Chapter 401 of the Statutes of 2013, is amended to read: 42885. (a) (1) For purposes of this section, "California tire fee" means the fee imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section. (2) For purposes of this section, "California tire regulatory fee" means the fee imposed pursuant to subdivision (c) of this section. (b) (1) A person who purchases a new tire, as defined in subdivision(g),(h), shall pay a California tire fee of one dollar and seventy-five cents ($1.75) per tire. (2) The retail seller shall charge the retail purchaser the amount of the California tire fee as a charge that is separate from, and not included in, any other fee, charge, or other amount paid by the retail purchaser. (3) The retail seller shall collect the California tire fee from the retail purchaser at the time of sale and may retain 11/2 percent of the fee as reimbursement for any costs associated with the collection of the fee. The retail seller shall remit the remainder to the state on a quarterly schedule for deposit in the California Tire Recycling Management Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. (c) (1) A waste tire generator, as defined by Section 18450 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, shall pay a California tire regulatory fee according to a schedule of amounts to be determined by the department pursuant to the following: (A) For a waste tire generator that is a retail seller of new tires to end user purchasers, the amount of the California tire regulatory fee shall be established by the department in an amount that is sufficient to generate revenues equivalent to the reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the department incident to audits, inspections, administrative costs, adjudications, manifesting, registration, and other regulatory activities regarding these waste tire generators, but not to exceed one dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) per new tire sold. The department may differentiate in setting fees between retail sellers of new tires who are waste tire generators depending upon the nature of the retail seller's activity generating waste tires, the number of waste tires generated, and other appropriate bases. (B) For a waste tire generator that is not a retail seller, the amount of the California tire regulatory fee shall be established by the department in an amount that is sufficient to generate revenues equivalent to the reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the department incident to audits, inspections, administrative costs, adjudications, manifesting, registration, and other regulatory activities regarding these waste tire generators. The department may differentiate between categories of waste tire generators that are not retail sellers in setting fees depending upon the nature of the activity generating waste tires, the number of waste tires generated, and other appropriate bases. (C) The aggregate amount of California waste tire fees imposed pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C) shall not exceed the aggregate reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the department incident to audits, inspections, administrative costs, adjudications, manifesting, registration, and other regulatory costs for regulating waste tire generators. (2) A waste tire generator shall remit the fees assessed pursuant to this subdivision to the state on a quarterly schedule for deposit in a separate account in the California Tire Recycling Management Fund.(c)(d) The department, or its agent authorized pursuant to Section 42882, shall be reimbursed for its costs of collection, auditing, and making refunds associated with the California Tire Recycling Management Fund, but not to exceed 3 percent of the total annual revenue deposited in the fund.(d)(e) The California tire fee imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be separately stated by the retail seller on the invoice given to the customer at the time of sale. Any other disposal or transaction fee charged by the retail seller related to the tire purchase shall be identified separately from the California tire fee.(e)(f) A person or business who knowingly, or with reckless disregard, makes a false statement or representation in a document used to comply with this section is liable for a civil penalty for each violation or, for continuing violations, for each day that the violation continues. Liability under this section may be imposed in a civil action and shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each violation.(f)(g) In addition to the civil penalty that may be imposed pursuant to subdivision(e),(f) the department may impose an administrative penalty in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation of a separate provision or, for continuing violations, for each day that the violation continues, on a person who intentionally or negligently violates a permit, rule, regulation, standard, or requirement issued or adopted pursuant to this chapter. The department shall adopt regulations that specify the amount of the administrative penalty and the procedure for imposing an administrative penalty pursuant to this subdivision.(g)(h) For purposes of this section, "new tire" means a pneumatic or solid tire intended for use with onroad or off-road motor vehicles, motorized equipment, construction equipment, or farm equipment that is sold separately from the motorized equipment, or a new tire sold with a new or used motor vehicle, as defined in Section 42803.5, including the spare tire, construction equipment, or farm equipment. "New tire" does not include retreaded, reused, or recycled tires.(h)(i) The California tire fee shall not be imposed on a tire sold with, or sold separately for use on, any of the following: (1) A self-propelled wheelchair. (2) A motorized tricycle or motorized quadricycle, as defined in Section 407 of the Vehicle Code. (3) A vehicle that is similar to a motorized tricycle or motorized quadricycle and is designed to be operated by a person who, by reason of the person's physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian.(i)(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2024, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2024, deletes or extends that date. SEC. 2. Section 42885 of the Public Resources Code, as amended by Section 32 of Chapter 401 of the Statutes of 2013, is amended to read: 42885. (a) (1) For purposes of this section, "California tire fee" means the fee imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section. (2) For purposes of this section, "California tire regulatory fee" means the fee imposed pursuant to subdivision (c) of this section. (b) (1) Every person who purchases a new tire, as defined in subdivision(g),(h), shall pay a California tire fee of seventy-five cents ($0.75) per tire. (2) The retail seller shall charge the retail purchaser the amount of the California tire fee as a charge that is separate from, and not included in, any other fee, charge, or other amount paid by the retail purchaser. (3) The retail seller shall collect the California tire fee from the retail purchaser at the time of sale and may retain 3 percent of the fee as reimbursement for any costs associated with the collection of the fee. The retail seller shall remit the remainder to the state on a quarterly schedule for deposit in the California Tire Recycling Management Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. (c) (1) A waste tire generator, as defined by Section 18450 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, shall pay a California tire regulatory fee according to a schedule of amounts to be determined by the department pursuant to the following: (A) For a waste tire generator that is a retail seller of new tires to end user purchasers, the amount of the California tire regulatory fee shall be established by the department in an amount that is sufficient to generate revenues equivalent to the reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the department incident to audits, inspections, administrative costs, adjudications, manifesting, registration, and other regulatory activities regarding these waste tire generators, but not to exceed one dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) per new tire sold. The department may differentiate in setting fees between retail sellers of new tires who are waste tire generators depending upon the nature of the retail seller's activity generating waste tires, the number of waste tires generated, and other appropriate bases. (B) For a waste tire generator that is not a retail seller, the amount of the California tire regulatory fee shall be established by the department in an amount that is sufficient to generate revenues equivalent to the reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the department incident to audits, inspections, administrative costs, adjudications, manifesting, registration, and other regulatory activities regarding these waste tire generators. The department may differentiate between categories of waste tire generators that are not retail sellers in setting fees depending upon the nature of the activity generating waste tires, the number of waste tires generated, and other appropriate bases. (C) The aggregate amount of California waste tire fees imposed pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C) shall not exceed the aggregate reasonable regulatory costs incurred by the department incident to audits, inspections, administrative costs, adjudications, manifesting, registration, and other regulatory costs for regulating waste tire generators. (2) A waste tire generator shall remit the fees assessed pursuant to this subdivision to the state on a quarterly schedule for deposit in a separate account in the California Tire Recycling Management Fund.(c)(d) The department, or its agent authorized pursuant to Section 42882, shall be reimbursed for its costs of collection, auditing, and making refunds associated with the California Tire Recycling Management Fund, but not to exceed 3 percent of the total annual revenue deposited in the fund.(d)(e) The California tire fee imposed pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be separately stated by the retail seller on the invoice given to the customer at the time of sale. Any other disposal or transaction fee charged by the retail seller related to the tire purchase shall be identified separately from the California tire fee.(e)(f) Any person or business who knowingly, or with reckless disregard, makes any false statement or representation in any document used to comply with this section is liable for a civil penalty for each violation or, for continuing violations, for each day that the violation continues. Liability under this section may be imposed in a civil action and shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each violation.(f)(g) In addition to the civil penalty that may be imposed pursuant to subdivision(e),(f), the department may impose an administrative penalty in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation of a separate provision or, for continuing violations, for each day that the violation continues, on any person who intentionally or negligently violates any permit, rule, regulation, standard, or requirement issued or adopted pursuant to this chapter. The department shall adopt regulations that specify the amount of the administrative penalty and the procedure for imposing an administrative penalty pursuant to this subdivision.(g)(h) For purposes of this section, "new tire" means a pneumatic or solid tire intended for use with onroad or off-road motor vehicles, motorized equipment, construction equipment, or farm equipment that is sold separately from the motorized equipment, or a new tire sold with a new or used motor vehicle, as defined in Section 42803.5, including the spare tire, construction equipment, or farm equipment. "New tire" does not include retreaded, reused, or recycled tires.(h)(i) The California tire fee may not be imposed on any tire sold with, or sold separately for use on, any of the following: (1) Any self-propelled wheelchair. (2) Any motorized tricycle or motorized quadricycle, as defined in Section 407 of the Vehicle Code. (3) Any vehicle that is similar to a motorized tricycle or motorized quadricycle and is designed to be operated by a person who, by reason of the person's physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian.(i)(j) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024.