Hazardous waste: facilities: permits.
The bill's impact on state laws largely revolves around its potential effects on the application and permitting processes for hazardous waste facilities. By modifying the requirements concerning disclosure statements, AB 2836 could simplify the application process for certain applicants, particularly those not categorized under federal, state, or local agencies, as they may have different disclosure obligations. However, the extent of this change may also depend on how the terms and definitions in the law are interpreted and the operational practices of the DTSC.
Assembly Bill 2836, introduced by Assembly Member Santiago, aims to amend Section 25200.4 of the California Health and Safety Code concerning hazardous waste facilities. The bill specifically addresses the requirements for obtaining a hazardous waste facilities permit from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Under existing law, facilities that handle hazardous waste are mandated to include a disclosure statement in their permit application as part of the permitting process. This legislation proposes a nonsubstantive change to that requirement, which may streamline the disclosure process for applicants.
One notable point of contention surrounding AB 2836 may center on concerns regarding environmental protections. Although the bill is characterized as making nonsubstantive changes, members of the public and advocacy groups may argue that any alterations to requirements for disclosure statements could affect the level of transparency and the public's ability to assess the environmental risks posed by facilities handling hazardous waste. Critics may express apprehension that these changes could inadvertently simplify the permitting process at the expense of necessary regulatory oversight.