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AB-1649 Oil refineries: public safety.(2017-2018)

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Date Published: 10/09/2017 09:00 PM
AB1649:v94#DOCUMENT

Assembly Bill No. 1649
CHAPTER 590

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

[ Approved by Governor  October 08, 2017. Filed with Secretary of State  October 08, 2017. ]

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

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.