Bill Text: CA AB1649 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Oil refineries: public safety.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-10-08 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 590, Statutes of 2017. [AB1649 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB1649-Enrolled.html

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Enrolled  September 13, 2017

Passed  IN  Senate  September 06, 2017

Passed  IN  Assembly  September 11, 2017

Amended  IN  Senate  September 01, 2017

Amended  IN  Senate  June 15, 2017

Amended  IN  Assembly  May 26, 2017

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1649

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Introduced by Assembly Member Muratsuchi
(Coauthor: Senator Skinner)

February 17, 2017

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An act to add Part 3.8 (commencing with Section 71275) to Division 34 of the Public Resources Code, relating to environmental protection.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1649, Muratsuchi. Oil refineries: public safety.

Existing law establishes the California Environmental Protection Agency under the supervision of the Secretary for Environmental Protection, consisting of various boards, offices, and departments, and vests the agency with authority over various environmental matters.

This bill would provide for the California Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with specified federal, state, and local agencies, to examine ways to improve public and worker safety through enhanced oversight of refineries and to strengthen emergency preparedness in anticipation of any future refinery incident. The bill would require the California Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with those agencies, to facilitate coordination among those agencies to protect the public, fence line communities, and refinery workers from risks associated with refinery operations throughout the state. The bill would require the California Environmental Protection Agency to hold at least 2 public meetings a year, as specified, to provide members of the public with current information on refinery safety and to receive information from the public regarding health and safety concerns associated with refinery operations.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Part 3.8 (commencing with Section 71275) is added to Division 34 of the Public Resources Code, to read:

PART 3.8. REFINERY SAFETY

71275.

 (a) The California Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the following agencies, shall examine ways to improve public and worker safety through enhanced oversight of refineries and to strengthen emergency preparedness in anticipation of any future refinery incident, and shall facilitate coordination among these agencies to protect the public, fence line communities, and refinery workers from risks associated with refinery operations throughout the state:

(1) The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

(2) The California Environmental Protection Agency.

(3) The State Air Resources Board.

(4) The Department of Toxic Substances Control.

(5) The State Water Resources Control Board.

(6) The Department of Industrial Relations.

(7) The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA).

(8) The State Department of Public Health.

(9) The Emergency Medical Services Authority.

(10) The Office of the State Fire Marshal.

(11) Certified unified program agencies in areas with refineries.

(12) Local air districts in areas with refineries.

(13) The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9.

(b) Local agencies and the United States Environmental Protection Agency may elect to participate in the efforts provided for in this section at their option.

(c) (1) The California Environmental Protection Agency shall convene at least two public meetings annually to provide members of the public with current information on refinery safety and to receive information from the public regarding health and safety concerns associated with refinery operations.

(2) The California Environmental Protection Agency shall request representatives from each agency listed in subdivision (a) to attend the public meetings convened pursuant to this subdivision.

(3) Meetings convened pursuant to this subdivision shall be held in geographically distinct locations in areas where a refinery is located.

(d) The provisions of this section shall be carried out by agency personnel within the scope of their existing duties.