Regulation Of Environmental Protection

Section § 57000

This section defines key terms used in the division related to the California Environmental Protection efforts. Specifically, 'Agency' refers to the California Environmental Protection Agency, 'Council' is the California Environmental Policy Council created by the Public Resources Code, and 'Secretary' is the Secretary for Environmental Protection.

For purposes of this division, the following terms have the following meaning:

(a) “Agency” means the California Environmental Protection Agency.

(b) “Council” means the California Environmental Policy Council established by Section 71017 of the Public Resources Code.

(c) “Secretary” means the Secretary for Environmental Protection.

California Environmental Protection Agency California Environmental Policy Council Secretary for Environmental Protection ...

Section § 57001

This section requires various offices and departments to create a fee accountability program by December 31, 1995. The program must ensure fees are only as high as necessary to efficiently manage the programs or activities they support, and it should encourage cost-effective operations.

Before setting up the program, each office needs to review and possibly adjust fee amounts, how fees are charged, and the efficiency of the activities funded by these fees. Specific fees covered include those related to environmental data on pesticides, waste management, vehicle emissions compliance, and water rights permits, among others.

Agencies must notify the Legislature if they believe fixed fees need to increase. If fees aren't fixed by law, they can be raised as long as there's a proper review and documentation. The Department of Toxic Substances Control meets these requirements if it follows another section, Section 25206.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (f), each office, board, and department within the agency shall, on or before December 31, 1995, implement a fee accountability program for the fees specified in subdivision (d). That fee accountability program shall be designed to encourage more efficient and cost-effective operation of the programs for which the fees are assessed, and shall be designed to ensure that the amount of each fee is not more than is reasonably necessary to fund the efficient operation of the activities or programs for which the fee is assessed.

(b) Before implementing the fee accountability program required by this section, each board, department, and office within the agency shall conduct a review of the fees identified in subdivision (d) which it assesses. The purpose of this review shall be to determine what changes, if any, should be made to all of the following, in order to implement a fee system which accomplishes the purposes set forth in subdivision (a):

(1) The amount of the fee.

(2) The manner in which the fee is assessed.

(3) The management and workload standards of the program or activity for which the fee is assessed.

(c) The fee accountability program of each board, department, or office within the agency shall include those elements of the requirements of Section 25206 which the secretary determines are appropriate in order to accomplish the purposes set forth in subdivision (a).

(d) This section applies to the following fees:

(1) The fee assessed pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 13146 of the Food and Agricultural Code to develop data concerning the environmental fate of a pesticide when the registrant fails to provide the required information.

(2) The surface impoundment fees assessed pursuant to Section 25208.3.

(3) The fee assessed pursuant to Section 43203 to recover the costs of the State Air Resources Board in verifying manufacturer compliance on emissions from new vehicles prior to retail sale.

(4) The fee assessed pursuant to Section 44380 to recover the costs of the State Air Resources Board and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment in implementing and administering the Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Information and Assessment Act of 1987 (Part 6 (commencing with Section 44300) of Division 26).

(5) The fee assessed pursuant to Section 43212 of the Public Resources Code to recover the costs of the California Integrated Waste Management Board when it assumes the responsibilities of the local enforcement agency.

(6) The fee assessed pursuant to Section 43508 of the Public Resources Code to recover the costs of the California Integrated Waste Management Board in reviewing closure plans.

(7) The water rights permit fees assessed pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1525) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Water Code.

(8) The fee assessed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 13260 of the Water Code for waste discharge requirements, including, but not limited to, requirements for storm water discharges, and the fee assessed pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 12360 of the Water Code for National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits.

(9) The costs assessed pursuant to Section 13304 of the Water Code to recover the costs of the State Water Resources Control Board or the California regional water quality control boards in implementing and enforcing cleanup and abatement orders.

(e) If a board, department, or office within the agency determines that the amount of a fee that is fixed in statute should be increased in order to implement a fee accountability system which accomplishes the purposes of subdivision (a), it shall notify the Legislature, and make recommendations concerning appropriate increases in the statutorily fixed fee amount. For fees whose amount is not fixed in statute, the board, department, or office may increase the fee only if it makes written findings in the record that it has implemented a fee accountability program which complies with this section.

(f) The Department of Toxic Substances Control shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section if it complies with Section 25206.

fee accountability program efficient operation cost-effective programs ...

Section § 57002

This law requires the agency to conduct a survey of various state, regional, and local agencies that oversee air quality, water quality, toxins, solid waste, and hazardous waste regulations. The goal is to find out how much money they make from fines and penalties and how that money is used. The study should also look at how these funds help support the agencies' operations.

The agency shall conduct a study by surveying state, regional, and local agencies charged with implementing air quality, water quality, toxics, solid waste, and hazardous waste laws and regulations to determine how much revenue is derived from fines and penalties and to what purposes that revenue is directed. The study should include a review of the extent to which those funds are used to support state, regional, and local agency operations.

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Section § 57003

This law requires any California agency, board, or department to hold a public workshop before adopting guidelines or policies for assessing the risks and toxicity of chemicals. The workshop aims to foster discussions between agency scientists and external experts to ensure that the assessments are based on solid scientific practices. After the workshop, the agency must revise the guidelines or policies as needed and open them up for public comment for at least 30 days.

Additionally, this law stipulates that if there are existing legal requirements with specific procedures or timelines for such assessments, these workshops and public comment periods must not delay meeting those statutory requirements.

(a) Before a board, department or office within the agency adopts chemical risk assessment guidelines or policies for evaluating the toxicity of chemicals or prepares a health evaluation of a chemical that will be used in the regulatory process of another board, department, or office, the board, department, or office shall first convene a public workshop at which the guidelines, policies, or health evaluation may be discussed. The public workshop shall be designed to encourage a constructive dialogue between the scientists employed by the board, department, or office that prepared the proposed guidelines or policies or health evaluation and scientists not employed by that board, department, or office and to evaluate the degree to which the proposed guidelines or policies or health evaluation are based on sound scientific methods, knowledge, and practice. Following the workshop, the agency shall revise the guidelines, policies, or health evaluation, as appropriate, and circulate it for public comment for a period of at least 30 days.

(b) In any case where the guidelines, policies, or health evaluations described in subdivision (a) are proposed, or are being prepared, pursuant to a statutory requirement that specifies a procedure or a time period for carrying out the requirement, the requirements of subdivision (a) do not authorize a delay or a postponement in carrying out the statutory requirement.

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Section § 57004

This section explains how rules related to environmental regulations in California must be backed by solid scientific data. A 'rule' can be a regulation or a policy that is implemented like a regulation.

Before putting a rule into effect, the agency involved must have an independent scientific group review the scientific basis of the rule. The people chosen for this external review must not be those who helped create the scientific basis of the rule.

The process also includes submitting the scientific data and findings to the reviewers, who will then provide an assessment of its validity. If they find the science unsound, they must report why. The agency can then adjust the rule based on this feedback or explain why they are proceeding with it despite disagreements. This requirement doesn't apply to emergency regulations.

Finally, any such scientific reviews for water-related rules will be posted online for public access, ensuring transparency.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) “Rule” means either of the following:

(A) A regulation, as defined in Section 11342.600 of the Government Code.

(B) A policy that is adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board pursuant to the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code) that has the effect of a regulation and that is adopted in order to implement or make effective a statute.

(2) “Scientific basis” and “scientific portions” mean those foundations of a rule that are premised upon, or derived from, empirical data or other scientific findings, conclusions, or assumptions establishing a regulatory level, standard, or other requirement for the protection of public health or the environment.

(b) The agency, or a board, department, or office within the agency, shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences, the University of California, the California State University, or any similar scientific institution of higher learning, any combination of those entities, or with a scientist or group of scientists of comparable stature and qualifications that is recommended by the President of the University of California, to conduct an external scientific peer review of the scientific basis for any rule proposed for adoption by any board, department, or office within the agency. The scientific basis or scientific portion of a rule adopted pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 25249.5) of Division 20 or Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 39650) of Part 2 of Division 26 shall be deemed to have complied with this section if it complies with the peer review processes established pursuant to these statutes.

(c) No person may serve as an external scientific peer reviewer for the scientific portion of a rule if that person participated in the development of the scientific basis or scientific portion of the rule.

(d) No board, department, or office within the agency shall take any action to adopt the final version of a rule unless all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The board, department, or office submits the scientific portions of the proposed rule, along with a statement of the scientific findings, conclusions, and assumptions on which the scientific portions of the proposed rule are based and the supporting scientific data, studies, and other appropriate materials, to the external scientific peer review entity for its evaluation.

(2) The external scientific peer review entity, within the timeframe agreed upon by the board, department, or office and the external scientific peer review entity, prepares a written report that contains an evaluation of the scientific basis of the proposed rule. If the external scientific peer review entity finds that the board, department, or office has failed to demonstrate that the scientific portion of the proposed rule is based upon sound scientific knowledge, methods, and practices, the report shall state that finding, and the reasons explaining the finding, within the agreed-upon timeframe. The board, department, or office may accept the finding of the external scientific peer review entity, in whole, or in part, and may revise the scientific portions of the proposed rule accordingly. If the board, department, or office disagrees with any aspect of the finding of the external scientific peer review entity, it shall explain, and include as part of the rulemaking record, its basis for arriving at such a determination in the adoption of the final rule, including the reasons why it has determined that the scientific portions of the proposed rule are based on sound scientific knowledge, methods, and practices.

(e) The requirements of this section do not apply to any emergency regulation adopted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11346.1 of the Government Code.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to, in any way, limit the authority of a board, department, or office within the agency to adopt a rule pursuant to the requirements of the statute that authorizes or requires the adoption of the rule.

(g) For any rule proposed by the State Water Resources Control Board or a California regional water quality control board, the state board shall post a copy of the external scientific peer review conducted pursuant to subdivision (b) on its Internet Web site.

scientific peer review environmental regulations independent scientific review ...

Section § 57005

This law requires that before adopting any major regulation, government boards, departments, and offices in California must consider alternatives to the regulation that could be less costly but just as effective in providing environmental protection. These major regulations are defined as those expected to have an economic impact of over $10 million on businesses. By the end of 1994, specific guidelines for evaluating these alternatives were to be established after consultations and public comments.

(a) Commencing January 1, 1994, each board, department, and office within the agency, before adopting any major regulation, shall evaluate the alternatives to the requirements of the proposed regulation that are submitted to the board, department, or office pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 11346.5 of the Government Code and consider whether there is a less costly alternative or combination of alternatives which would be equally as effective in achieving increments of environmental protection in a manner that ensures full compliance with statutory mandates within the same amount of time as the proposed regulatory requirements.

(b) For purposes of this section, “major regulation” means any regulation that will have an economic impact on the state’s business enterprises in an amount exceeding ten million dollars ($10,000,000), as estimated by the board, department, or office within the agency proposing to adopt the regulation in the assessment required by subdivision (a) of Section 11346.3 of the Government Code.

(c) On or before December 31, 1994, after consulting with the Secretary of Trade and Commerce, the director or executive officer of each board, department, and office within the agency, and after receiving public comment, the secretary shall adopt guidelines to be followed by the boards, departments, and offices within the agency concerning the methods and procedures to be used in conducting the evaluation required by this section.

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Section § 57007

This law requires state environmental agencies in California to implement quality government programs to boost environmental protection while cutting costs and speeding up decision-making. These programs seek the input of employees, the public, businesses, and environmental groups to improve performance and satisfaction. A model program will be developed for use by other local agencies at their discretion. Agencies must report every two years on their progress and efforts to improve. This law respects existing employee rights and collective bargaining agreements.

(a) The agency, and the offices, boards, and departments within the agency, shall institute quality government programs to achieve increased levels of environmental protection and the public’s satisfaction through improving the quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of the state programs that implement and enforce state and federal environmental protection statutes. These programs shall be designed to increase the level of environmental protection while expediting decisionmaking and producing cost savings. The secretary shall create an advisory group comprised of state and local government, business, environmental, and consumer representatives experienced in quality management to provide guidance in that effort. The secretary shall develop a model quality management program that local agencies charged with implementing air quality, water quality, toxics, solid waste, and hazardous waste laws and regulations may use at their discretion.

(b) The agency, and each board, department, and office within the agency, shall submit a biennial report to the Governor and Legislature, no later than December 1 with respect to the previous two fiscal years, reporting on the extent to which these state agencies have attained their performance objectives, and on their continuous quality improvement efforts.

(c) Nothing in this section abrogates any collective bargaining agreement or interferes with any established employee rights.

(d) For purposes of this section, “quality government program” means all of the following:

(1) A process for obtaining the views of employees, the regulated community, the public, environmental organizations, and governmental officials with regard to the performance, vision, and needs of the agency implementing the quality government program.

(2) A process for developing measurable performance objectiveness using the views of the persons and organizations specified in paragraph (1).

(3) Processes for continually improving quality and for training agency personnel, using the information obtained from implementing paragraphs (1) and (2).

environmental protection quality government programs cost-effectiveness ...

Section § 57008

This section defines important terms like 'agency' and 'contaminant.' A contaminant is identified as specific hazardous substances or solvents that are often found at sites needing cleanup. It introduces 'screening numbers' which are advisory figures indicating contamination levels, but they don't replace official cleanup standards.

The California Environmental Protection Agency must conduct scientific reviews to set these numbers, considering health impacts, existing studies, and established cleanup levels. Public workshops are held to discuss these numbers, and they may be updated over time. Screening numbers help estimate the effort needed for property cleanup, but they don’t limit agency powers under other laws.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Agency” means the California Environmental Protection Agency.

(2) “Contaminant” means all of the following:

(A) A substance listed in Tables II and III of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66261.24 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

(B) The five halogenated hydrocarbon industrial solvents that, in the experience of the State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Toxic Substances Control are most commonly found as contaminants at sites subject to remediation under the Carpenter-Presley-Tanner Hazardous Substances Account Act (Part 2 (commencing with Section 78000) of Division 45) and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code).

(C) Ten hazardous substances not included under subparagraphs (A) and (B) that, in the experience of the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the State Water Resources Control Board, are most commonly found as contaminants at sites subject to remediation under the Carpenter-Presley-Tanner Hazardous Substances Account Act (Part 2 (commencing with Section 78000) of Division 45) and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code).

(3) “Screening number” means the concentration of a contaminant published by the agency as an advisory number pursuant to the process established in subdivisions (b) and (c). A screening number is solely an advisory number, and has no regulatory effect, and is published solely as a reference value that may be used by citizen groups, community organizations, property owners, developers, and local government officials to estimate the degree of effort that may be necessary to remediate a contaminated property. A screening number may not be construed as, and may not serve as, a level that can be used to require an agency to determine that no further action is required or a substitute for the cleanup level that is required to be achieved for a contaminant on a contaminated property. The public agency with jurisdiction over the remediation of a contaminated site shall establish the cleanup level for a contaminant pursuant to the requirements and the procedures of the applicable laws and regulations that govern the remediation of that contaminated property and the cleanup level may be higher or lower than a published screening number.

(b)

(1) During the same period when the agency is carrying out the pilot study required by Section 57009 and preparing the informational document required by Section 57010, the agency shall initiate a scientific peer review of the screening levels published in Appendix 1 of Volume 2 of the technical report published by the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board entitled “Application of Risk-Based Screening Levels and Decision-Making to Sites with Impacted Soil and Groundwater (Interim Final-August 2000).” The agency shall conduct the scientific peer review process in accordance with Section 57004, and shall limit the review to those substances specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a). The agency shall complete the peer review process on or before December 31, 2004.

(2) The agency, in cooperation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, shall publish a list of screening numbers for contaminants listed in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) for the protection of human health and safety, and shall report on the feasibility of establishing screening numbers to protect water quality and ecological resources. The agency shall determine the screening numbers using the evaluation set forth in Article 13 (commencing with Section 79260) of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of Division 45 and the results of the peer review, and shall use the most stringent hazard criterion established pursuant to Subpart E of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (40 C.F.R. 300.400 et seq.), as amended. The agency shall set forth separate screening levels for unrestricted land uses and a restricted, nonresidential use of land. In determining each screening number, the agency shall consider all of the following:

(A) The toxicology of the contaminant, its adverse effects on human health and safety, biota, and its potential for causing environmental damage to natural resources, including, but not limited to, beneficial uses of the water of the state, including sources of drinking water.

(B) Risk assessments that have been prepared for the contaminant by federal or state agencies pursuant to environmental or public health laws, evaluations of the contaminant that have been prepared by epidemiological studies and occupational health programs, and risk assessments or other evaluations of the contaminant that have been prepared by governmental agencies or responsible parties as part of a project to remediate a contaminated property.

(C) Cleanup levels that have been established for the contaminant at sites that have been, or are being, investigated or remediated under Part 2 (commencing with Section 78000) of Division 45, or cleaned up or abated under Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code or under any other remediation program administered by a federal or local agency.

(D) Screening numbers that have been published by other agencies in the state, in other states, and by federal agencies.

(E) The results of external scientific peer review of the screening numbers made pursuant to Section 57004.

(c)

(1) Before publishing the screening numbers pursuant to subdivision (b), the agency shall conduct two public workshops, one in the northern part of the state and the other in the southern part of the state, to brief interested parties on the scientific and policy bases for the development of the proposed screening numbers and to receive public comments.

(2) Following publication of the screening numbers pursuant to subdivision (b), the agency shall conduct three public workshops in various regions of the state to discuss the screening numbers and to receive public comments. The agency shall select an agency representative who shall serve as the chairperson for the workshops, and the agency shall ensure that ample opportunity is available for public involvement in the workshops. The deputy secretary for external affairs shall actively seek out participation in the workshops by citizen groups, environmental organizations, community-based organizations that restore and redevelop contaminated properties for park, school, residential, commercial, open-space or other community purposes, property owners, developers, and local government officials.

(d) Following the workshops required by subdivision (c), the agency shall revise the screening numbers as appropriate. The agency shall, from time to time, revise the screening numbers as necessary as experience is gained with their use and shall add screening numbers for contaminants to the list as information concerning remediation problems becomes available.

(e) The agency shall publish a guidance document for distribution to citizen groups, community-based organizations, property owners, developers, and local government officials that explains how screening numbers may be used to make judgments about the degree of effort that may be necessary to remediate contaminated properties, to facilitate the restoration and revitalization of contaminated property, to protect the waters of the state, and to make more efficient and effective decisions in local-level remediation programs.

(f) Nothing in this section affects the authority of the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the State Water Resources Control Board, or a regional water quality control board to take action under any applicable law or regulation regarding a release or threatened release of hazardous materials.

California Environmental Protection Agency contaminants screening numbers ...

Section § 57010

The California Environmental Protection Agency is required to publish an informational document to help various groups and individuals understand how site investigation and cleanup decisions are made under two specific environmental laws. This document must be available for free upon request and also posted online. It should be regularly updated to reflect any new laws or policy changes.

(a) On or before January 1, 2003, the California Environmental Protection Agency shall publish an informational document to assist citizen groups, community-based organizations, interested laypersons, property owners, local government officials, developers, environmental organizations, and environmental consultants to understand the factors that are taken into account, and the procedures that are followed, in making site investigation and remediation decisions under the Carpenter-Presley-Tanner Hazardous Substances Account Act (Part 2 (commencing with Section 78000) of Division 45) and under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code).

(b) The agency shall make the informational document required by this section available to any person who requests it at no charge and shall also post the public information manual on the agency’s internet website. The agency shall update both the printed informational document and the internet website at appropriate intervals as new legislation or revised policies affect the administration of the Carpenter-Presley-Tanner Hazardous Substances Account Act (Part 2 (commencing with Section 78000) of Division 45) and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code).

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Section § 57012

This law requires certain California agencies to keep a detailed list of properties with restricted land uses. The list must include location details like street addresses and parcel numbers, descriptions of any hazardous substances present, and any cleanup needed for unrestricted use.

The agencies must update these lists regularly and display them on their websites. The California Environmental Protection Agency oversees this process, ensuring the information is easy to find online with hyperlinks and search functions.

They also need to publish a comprehensive, albeit voluntary, list indicating where land use restrictions have been imposed, noting this list might not include all such properties. This regulation specifically applies to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the State Water Resources Control Board, regional water quality control boards, and the Department of Toxic Substances Control.

(a) Each agency listed in subdivision (d) shall maintain a list of all instruments and agreements restricting land uses imposed by that agency under Section 1471 of the Civil Code or any provision of law that is administered by that agency, in accordance with all of the following requirements:

(1) The list shall provide a description of location for each property that, at a minimum, provides the street address and the assessor’s parcel number. If a street address or assessor’s parcel number is not available, or if a street address or assessor’s parcel number does not adequately describe the property affected by the instrument or agreement restricting land use, the list shall include a description of location or the location’s geographic coordinates.

(2) The list shall provide a description of any restricted uses of the property, contaminants known to be present, and any remediation of the property, if known, that would be required to allow for its unrestricted use. The recorded instrument or agreement restricting land uses may be provided in lieu of the description required by this paragraph.

(3) Each agency shall update its list as new instruments and agreements restricting land uses are recorded and as instruments and agreements restricting land uses on properties are changed.

(b) Each agency listed in subdivision (d) shall display the list required under subdivision (a) on that agency’s Web site, and shall make the list available to the public upon request.

(c) The California Environmental Protection Agency shall oversee the implementation of this section. In overseeing the implementation of this section, the California Environmental Protection Agency shall do all of the following:

(1) Maintain on its Web site hyperlinks to the individual lists posted pursuant to this section.

(2) Provide a search function that is able to search and retrieve information from each of the individual lists posted pursuant to this section.

(3) Create and post a list of all instruments and agreements restricting land uses that have been sent pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 1471 of the Civil Code. The list created and posted pursuant to this paragraph shall meet all of the following requirements:

(A) The list shall identify the entity or jurisdiction that imposed the instrument or agreement restricting land uses.

(B) The list shall include the information required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a).

(C) The list shall be maintained for informational purposes only.

(D) The list shall contain a notation that information regarding the listed properties has been provided voluntarily, that the list is not all-inclusive, and that there may be additional sites where instruments or agreements restricting land uses have been imposed by other entities that have not been included on the list.

(d) This section applies to the California Environmental Protection Agency and to all of the following entities within the agency:

(1) The California Integrated Waste Management Board.

(2) The State Water Resources Control Board, and each California regional water quality control board.

(3) The Department of Toxic Substances Control.

restricted land use property use restrictions hazardous substances ...

Section § 57013

This law states that the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) may require documents related to toxic substances compliance to be submitted electronically, especially if they're submitted to DTSC or a specific program agency. These electronic submissions must include precise location data (latitude and longitude) for sample sites. DTSC will establish standards for electronic submissions, ensuring they are cost-free, publicly accessible, and can properly handle and verify data. The submissions must include site addresses, environmental data, and testing information. DTSC will ensure the security of these electronic submissions. Moreover, related regulations can be adopted as emergency regulations to quickly address public safety needs, and such regulations may remain in effect for one year unless further action is taken.

(a) The Department of Toxic Substances Control may require a person submitting a report, workplan, schedule, notice, request, application, or other document or data for purposes of compliance with this code, the Education Code, or other related regulations to submit the document or data in an electronic format, if the document is submitted to either of the following:

(1) The Department of Toxic Substances Control.

(2) A unified program agency implementing the unified program specified in Chapter 6.11 (commencing with Section 25404) of Division 20.

(b) The Department of Toxic Substances Control may require that a document or data submitted in electronic format include the latitude and longitude, which shall be accurate to within one meter, of the location where a sample analyzed in the document or data was collected.

(c) The Department of Toxic Substances Control shall adopt standards, that include electronic formats, for the submission of reports, workplans, schedules, notices, requests, applications, or other documents or data. The adopted standards also shall include formats for analytical and environmental compliance data that may be submitted along with those documents. When adopting these standards, the Department of Toxic Substances Control shall only consider electronic formats that meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Are available at no cost.

(2) Are available in the public domain.

(3) Have available public domain means to import, manipulate, and store data.

(4) Allow importation of data into tables that indicate relational distances.

(5) Allow verification of data submission consistency.

(6) Allow inclusion of all of the following information:

(A) The physical site address from which the sample was taken, and information required for permitting and reporting an unauthorized release.

(B) Environmental assessment data taken during the initial site investigation phase, as well as the continuing monitoring and evaluation phases.

(C) The latitude and longitude, which shall be accurate to within one meter, of the location where a sample was collected.

(D) A description of all tests performed on the sample, the results of the testing, quality assurance and quality control information, available narrative information regarding the collection of the sample, and available information concerning the laboratory’s analysis of the sample.

(7) Fulfill any additional criteria that the Department of Toxic Substances Control determines are appropriate for an effective electronic report submission program.

(d) In adopting standards pursuant to this section, the Department of Toxic Substances Control shall ensure the security of electronically submitted information.

(e)

(1) The regulations adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to this section, including regulations adopted pursuant to this section as amended during the 2017–18 Regular Session, may be adopted as emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. For the purposes of that chapter, including Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the adoption of these regulations is an emergency and shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law as an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, and general welfare.

(2) Notwithstanding the time limitation in subdivision (e) of Section 11346.1 of the Government Code, an emergency regulation adopted or amended pursuant to this section shall not be repealed until one year after the effective date of the regulation, unless the Department of Toxic Substances Control readopts the regulation, in whole or in part, in compliance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

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Section § 57015

The assistant director for environmental justice has several important responsibilities aimed at supporting disadvantaged communities where hazardous materials are present. They act as a mediator and outreach coordinator for these communities, ensuring they have a voice.

The assistant director provides information and assistance in the major languages spoken by these communities to help them participate in regulatory decisions related to hazardous materials. Additionally, they must make health and environmental information, collected by the department or others, available to the communities promptly and explained clearly so that residents understand the impacts.

There is in the department the assistant director for environmental justice. The assistant director shall perform all of the following duties, subject to the supervision of the director:

(a) Serve as ombudsperson and outreach coordinator for disadvantaged communities, as described in Section 39711, where hazardous materials and hazardous waste disposal facilities are located.

(b) Provide information and assistance to communities on permitting, enforcement, and other department activities in the major languages spoken in those communities to ensure the maximum feasible community participation in regulatory decisions made by the department.

(c) Where community health or epidemiological information has been collected by the department or other parties, make that information available to communities, consistent with other requirements of law, as soon as possible with plain explanations as to their impacts.

assistant director environmental justice disadvantaged communities ...

Section § 57018

This section provides definitions for terms used in related California laws regarding chemical testing and environmental standards. It explains what an "analytical test method" is, which involves procedures to determine the concentration of chemicals. It defines "bioconcentration factor" as the ratio of a chemical's concentration in an organism to that in its environment. "Chemical" is equated to a "chemical substance" per U.S. law. "Manufacturer" refers to anyone producing or importing chemicals in California for sale. "Matrix" describes the medium where tests occur, like water or soil. The "octanol-water partition coefficient" is a measure comparing chemical concentrations in two substances at equilibrium. "State agency" includes several environmental and toxic substance boards, but not the Department of Pesticide Regulation.

(a) For purposes of Sections 57019 and 57020, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Analytical test method” means a procedure used to sample, prepare, and analyze a specific matrix to determine the identity and concentration of a specified chemical and its metabolites and degradation product. An analytical test method shall conform to the standards adopted by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference.

(2) “Bioconcentration factor” means the concentration of a chemical in an organism divided by its concentration in a test solution or environment.

(3) “Chemical” has the same meaning as a chemical substance, as defined in Section 2602 of Title 15 of the United States Code.

(4) “Manufacturer” means a person who produces a chemical in this state or who imports a chemical into this state for sale in this state.

(5) “Matrix” includes, but is not limited to, water, air, soil, sediment, sludge, chemical waste, fish, blood, adipose tissue, and urine.

(6) “Octanol-water partition coefficient” means the ratio of the concentration of a chemical in octanol and in water at equilibrium and at a specified temperature.

(7) “State agency” means the State Air Resources Board, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the Integrated Waste Management Board, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the California Environmental Protection Agency. “State agency” does not include the Department of Pesticide Regulation.

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Section § 57019

This law requires the California Environmental Protection Agency to manage all requests for information from chemical manufacturers made by state agencies. The agency's goals are to minimize duplicate requests and ensure cost-effectiveness, while keeping a record of these requests.

Before a state agency can ask for information from a manufacturer, it must announce its intention online, search public databases, and contact chemical manufacturers to gather existing data and assess the need for further information.

If necessary, a state agency can request additional data about a chemical, which the manufacturer must provide within a year. This may include test methods, chemicals' behaviors in the environment, and more. Cooperation between manufacturers and state agencies is encouraged to meet information needs efficiently and reduce verification efforts.

(a) The California Environmental Protection Agency shall coordinate all requests for information from manufacturers made pursuant to this section on behalf of the state agencies.

(b) In coordinating the requests made pursuant to this section, the California Environmental Protection Agency shall seek to accomplish the following objectives:

(1) Minimize or eliminate duplicate requests for the same or similar information.

(2) Coordinate with manufacturers of the same chemical to develop and submit the requested information in an equitable and resource-efficient manner.

(3) To the extent practicable minimize the cost burden on individual manufacturers.

(4) Maintain a record of requests made pursuant to this section.

(c) A state agency, before requesting any information from a manufacturer pursuant to subdivision (d), shall do all of the following:

(1) Post on its Internet Web site and the Internet Web site of the California Environmental Protection Agency an announcement that it seeks information pursuant to subdivision (d), including the chemical for which it seeks information, the type of information it is seeking, and the reason for seeking the information.

(2) Conduct a search for the information it seeks of all known public sources of information on the chemicals for which an announcement has been posted pursuant to paragraph (1). All known public sources include public and electronically searchable databases maintained by the federal government, state governments, and intergovernmental organizations.

(3) Make reasonable attempts to contact all manufacturers of chemicals listed for which an announcement has been posted pursuant to paragraph (1) to obtain any relevant information that may be held by those manufacturers but is not publicly available.

(4) Make reasonable attempts to consult with all manufacturers of chemicals listed for which an announcement has been posted pursuant to paragraph (1) to determine what additional information, if any, those manufacturers need to develop to assist the state agency in evaluating the fate and transport of those chemicals in the relevant matrices.

(5) Make reasonable attempts to consult with all manufacturers to evaluate the technical feasibility of developing the information requested by the agency.

(d)

(1) A state agency may request a manufacturer to provide additional information on a chemical for which an announcement has been posted pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).

(2) Upon request of a state agency, the manufacturer, within one year, shall provide the state agency with the additional information requested for the specified chemical.

(3) The information that the state agency requests may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(A) An analytical test method for that chemical, or for metabolites and degradation products for that chemical that are biologically relevant in the matrix specified by the state agency.

(B) The octanol-water partition coefficient and bioconcentration factor for humans for that chemical.

(C) Other relevant information on the fate and transport of that chemical in the environment.

(4) The manufacturer responding to a request pursuant to this subdivision shall collaborate and cooperate with the state agency making the request to the extent practicable for the following purposes:

(A) To ensure that the information being provided meets the needs of the state agency.

(B) To reduce disagreements over the information being provided.

(C) To decrease to the maximum extent possible the effort and resources the state agency must expend to verify and validate the information provided.

(e) The definitions in Section 57018 apply to this section.

(f) This section shall not be construed to limit the authority of a state agency to obtain information pursuant to any other provision of law.

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Section § 57020

This law is about protecting trade secrets when they are submitted to a California state agency. If a manufacturer submits information that contains trade secrets, they must notify the agency in writing and clearly identify which parts they consider secret. The agency must protect these secrets if they are not public records. If someone requests the release of this information, the agency tells the manufacturer, who then has 30 days to ask a court to keep the information secret. The agency won't release the information during this court process. However, manufacturers cannot refuse to provide necessary information to the agency because it's required. If the court agrees that information is a trade secret, the agency cannot disclose it unless it's for specific governmental or safety reasons.

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 7924.510 and 7924.700 of the Government Code, if a manufacturer believes that information provided to a state agency pursuant to Section 57019 involves the release of a trade secret, the manufacturer shall make the disclosure to the state agency and notify the state agency in writing of that belief. In its written notice, the manufacturer shall identify the portion of the information submitted to the state agency that it believes is a trade secret and provide documentation supporting its conclusion.

(b) Subject to this section, the state agency shall protect from disclosure a trade secret designated as a trade secret by the manufacturer, if that trade secret is not a public record.

(c) Upon receipt of a request for the release of information to the public that includes information that the manufacturer has notified the state agency is a trade secret and that is not a public record, the following procedure applies:

(1) The state agency shall notify the manufacturer that disclosed the information to the state agency of the request, in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(2) The state agency shall release the information to the public, but not earlier than 30 days after the date of mailing the notice of the request for information, unless, prior to the expiration of the 30-day period, the manufacturer obtains an action in an appropriate court for a declaratory judgment that the information is subject to protection under this section or for a preliminary injunction prohibiting disclosure of the information to the public and promptly notifies the state agency of that action. In order to prevent the state agency from releasing the information to the public, the manufacturer shall obtain a declaratory judgment or preliminary injunction within 30 days of filing an action for a declaratory judgment or preliminary injunction.

(d) This section does not authorize a manufacturer to refuse to disclose to the state agency information required by Section 57019.

(e) Any information that a court, pursuant to this section, determines is a trade secret and not a public record, or pending final judgment pursuant to subdivision (c), shall not be disclosed by the state agency to anyone, except to an officer or employee of a city or county, the state, or the United States, or to a contractor with a city or county, or the state, and its employees, if, in the opinion of the state agency, disclosure is necessary and required for the satisfactory performance of a contract, for the performance of work, or to protect the health and safety of the employees of the contractor.

(f) The definitions in Section 57018 apply to this section.

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Regulation of Environmental Protection