25404.
(a) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:(1) (A) “Certified Unified Program Agency” or “CUPA” means the agency certified by the secretary to implement the unified program specified in this chapter within a jurisdiction.
(B) “Participating Agency” or “PA” means a state or local agency that has a written agreement with the CUPA pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 25404.3, and is approved by the secretary, to implement or enforce one or more of the unified program elements specified in subdivision (c), in accordance with Sections 25404.1 and 25404.2.
(C) “Unified Program Agency” or “UPA” means the CUPA, or its participating agencies to the extent each PA has been designated by the CUPA, pursuant to a written agreement, to implement or enforce a particular unified program element specified in subdivision (c). The UPAs have the responsibility and authority to implement and enforce the requirements listed in subdivision (c), and the regulations adopted to implement the requirements listed in subdivision (c), to the extent provided by Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100), Chapter 6.67 (commencing with Section 25270), Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 25280), Chapter 6.95 (commencing with Section 25500), and Sections 25404.1 and 25404.2. After a CUPA has been certified by the secretary, the unified program agencies and the state agencies carrying out responsibilities under this chapter shall be the only agencies authorized to enforce the requirements listed in subdivision (c) within the jurisdiction of the CUPA.
(2) “Department” means the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
(3) “Minor violation” means the failure of a person to comply with any requirement or condition of any applicable law, regulation, permit, information request, order, variance, or other requirement, whether procedural or substantive, of the unified program that the UPA is authorized to implement or enforce pursuant to this chapter, and that does not otherwise include any of the following:
(A) A violation that results in injury to persons or property, or that presents a significant threat to human health or the environment.
(B) A knowing willful or intentional violation.
(C) A violation that is a chronic violation, or that is committed by a recalcitrant violator. In determining whether a violation is chronic or a violator is recalcitrant, the UPA shall consider whether there is evidence indicating that the violator has engaged in a pattern of neglect or disregard with respect to applicable regulatory requirements.
(D) A violation that results in an emergency response from a public safety agency.
(E) A violation that enables the violator to benefit economically from the noncompliance, either by reduced costs or competitive advantage.
(F) A class I violation as provided in Section 25117.6.
(G) A class II violation committed by a chronic or a recalcitrant violator, as provided in Section 25117.6.
(H) A violation that hinders the ability of the UPA to determine compliance with any other applicable local, state, or federal rule, regulation, information request, order, variance, permit, or other requirement.
(4) “Secretary” means the Secretary for Environmental Protection.
(5) “Unified program facility” means all contiguous land and structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on the land that are subject to the requirements listed in subdivision (c).
(6) “Unified program facility permit” means a permit issued pursuant to this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, a unified program facility permit encompasses the permitting requirements of Section 25284, and any permit or authorization requirements under any local ordinance or regulation relating to the generation or handling of hazardous waste or hazardous materials, but does not encompass the permitting requirements of a local ordinance that incorporates provisions of the Uniform Fire Code or the Uniform Building Code.
(b) The secretary shall adopt implementing regulations and implement a unified hazardous waste and hazardous materials management regulatory program, which shall be known as the unified program, after holding an appropriate number of public hearings throughout the state. The unified program shall be developed in close consultation with the director, the Director of the Office of Emergency Services, the State Fire Marshal, the executive officers and chairpersons of the State Water Resources Control Board and the California regional water quality control boards, the local health officers, local fire services, and other appropriate officers of interested local agencies, and affected businesses and interested members of the public, including environmental organizations.
(c) The unified program shall consolidate the administration of the following requirements, and shall, to the maximum extent feasible within statutory constraints, ensure the coordination and consistency of any regulations adopted pursuant to those requirements:
(1) (A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the requirements of Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100), and the regulations adopted by the department pursuant thereto, applicable to all of the following:
(i) Hazardous waste generators, persons operating pursuant to a permit-by-rule, conditional authorization, or conditional exemption, pursuant to Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100) or the regulations adopted by the department.
(ii) Persons managing perchlorate materials.
(iii) Persons subject to Article 10.1 (commencing with Section 25211) of Chapter 6.5.
(B) The unified program shall not include the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 25200.3, the requirements of Sections 25200.10 and 25200.14, and the authority to issue an order under Sections 25187 and 25187.1, with regard to those portions of a unified program facility that are subject to one of the following:
(i) A corrective action order issued by the department pursuant to Section 25187.
(ii) An order issued by the department pursuant to Chapter 6.8 (commencing with Section 25300) or Chapter 6.85 (commencing with Section 25396).
(iii) A remedial action plan approved pursuant to Chapter 6.8 (commencing with Section 25300) or Chapter 6.85 (commencing with Section 25396).
(iv) A cleanup and abatement order issued by a California regional water quality control board pursuant to Section 13304 of the Water Code, to the extent that the cleanup and abatement order addresses the requirements of the applicable section or sections listed in this subparagraph.
(v) Corrective action required under subsection (u) of Section 6924 of Title 42 of the United States Code or subsection (h) of Section 6928 of Title 42 of the United States Code.
(vi) An environmental assessment pursuant to Section 25200.14 or a corrective action pursuant to Section 25200.10 or paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 25200.3, that is being overseen by the department.
(C) The unified program shall not include the requirements of Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100), and the regulations adopted by the department pursuant thereto, applicable to persons operating transportable treatment units, except that any required notice regarding transportable treatment units shall also be provided to the CUPAs.
(2) The requirement of subdivision (c) of Section 25270.5 for owners and operators of aboveground storage tanks to prepare a spill prevention control and countermeasure plan.
(3) (A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the requirements of Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 25280) concerning underground storage tanks and the requirements of any underground storage tank ordinance adopted by a city or county.
(B) The unified program may not include the responsibilities assigned to the State Water Resources Control Board pursuant to Section 25297.1.
(C) The unified program may not include the corrective action requirements of Sections 25296.10 to 25296.40, inclusive.
(4) The requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 25500) of Chapter 6.95 concerning hazardous material release response plans and inventories.
(5) The requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 25531) of Chapter 6.95, concerning the accidental release prevention program.
(6) The requirements of subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 80.103 of the Uniform Fire Code, as adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13143.9 concerning hazardous material management plans and inventories.
(d) To the maximum extent feasible within statutory constraints, the secretary shall consolidate, coordinate, and make consistent these requirements of the unified program with other requirements imposed by other federal, state, regional, or local agencies upon facilities regulated by the unified program.
(e) (1) The secretary shall establish standards applicable to CUPAs, participating agencies, state agencies, and businesses specifying the data to be collected and submitted by unified program agencies in administering the programs listed in subdivision (c). Those standards shall incorporate any standard developed under Section 25503.3.
(2) The secretary shall establish an electronic geographic information management system capable of receiving all data collected by the unified program agencies pursuant to this subdivision and Section 25504.1. The secretary shall make all nonconfidential data available on the Internet.
(3) (A) As funding becomes available, the secretary shall establish, consistent with paragraph (2), and thereafter maintain, a statewide database.
(B) The secretary, or one or more of the boards, departments, or offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency, shall seek available federal funding for purposes of implementing this subdivision.
(4) Once the statewide database is established, the secretary shall work with the CUPAs to develop a phased-in schedule for the electronic collection and submittal of information to be included in the statewide database, giving first priority to information relating to those chemicals determined by the secretary to be of greatest concern. The secretary, in making this determination shall consult with the CUPAs, the Office of Emergency Services, the State Fire Marshal, and the boards, departments, and offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency. The information initially included in the statewide database shall include, but is not limited to, the hazardous materials inventory information required to be submitted pursuant to Section 25504.1 for perchlorate materials.
(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2006, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2006, deletes or extends that date.