Existing law authorizes the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) , in consultation with the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, the State Water Resources Control Board, and affected local air quality management districts, to adopt regulations to establish management standards for metal shredding facilities for hazardous waste management activities within the DTSC's jurisdiction, as provided. Existing law provides that treated metal shredder waste that is managed in accordance with those regulations is deemed to be solid waste, and not hazardous waste, as provided.
This bill would repeal those provisions. The bill would establish a comprehensive scheme for the regulation of metal shredding facilities that would be administered by the DTSC pursuant to authority separate from laws governing the control of hazardous waste. The bill would prohibit an owner or operator from operating a metal shredding facility, as defined, in the state unless they have a permit from the DTSC or are deemed to have a permit. The bill would prescribe the requirements for obtaining a permit, for being deemed to have a permit, for operating a metal shredding facility, and for transporting certain materials related to metal shredding, as specified. The bill would require, before a decision is made to approve or deny the application, the DTSC to hold a public meeting or solicit comment from the community on the completed application materials, as provided. The bill would provide that certain materials related to metal shredding are not hazardous waste if they meet specified requirements. The bill would require any report required to be submitted by a metal shredding facility pursuant to a permit issued to be signed by the owner or operator and be certified under penalty of law, including criminal penalties, as specified. Because the bill would expand the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require an owner or operator of a metal shredding facility to report to the DTSC certain emergency situations, as specified. The bill would require an owner or operator of a metal shredding facility to submit to the DTSC a closure plan and a cost estimate for closing the metal shredding facility, as specified. The bill would authorize the DTSC to enforce these provisions by revoking permits and by other specified means. The bill would require the DTSC to adopt regulations for the operation of metal shredding facilities. The bill would require the DTSC to post information provided by owners and operators regarding a metal shredding facility on the department's internet website in a manner that is readily accessible to the public, except as otherwise required pursuant to existing law.
Existing law authorizes the DTSC to collect an annual fee from all metal shredding facilities subject to the requirements of hazardous waste control laws or the DTSC's management standards for metal shredding facilities, as provided. Existing law requires the DTSC to adopt regulations necessary to administer the fee and authorizes the DTSC to adopt those regulations using emergency procedures, as provided. Existing law requires the Controller to establish a separate subaccount in the Hazardous Waste Control Account and for all fees collected to be placed into that subaccount, to be available for expenditure by the DTSC upon appropriation by the Legislature.
This bill would instead require the DTSC to impose an annual fee on all metal shredding facilities subject to the provisions of this bill, as specified. The bill would require the DTSC to adopt regulations necessary to administer the fee and would authorize the DTSC to adopt the regulations using the same emergency procedures, as specified. The bill would require the Controller to establish a separate subaccount in the Hazardous Waste Control Account and would require all fees collected to be placed into that subaccount, to be available for expenditure by the DTSC for purposes of implementation and administration of the provisions of the bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Statutes affected:
SB 404: 25117 HSC, 25150.82 HSC, 25150.84 HSC, 25150.86 HSC
02/14/25 - Introduced: 25117 HSC, 25150.82 HSC, 25150.84 HSC, 25150.86 HSC
03/24/25 - Amended Senate: 25117 HSC, 25150.82 HSC, 25150.84 HSC, 25150.86 HSC
04/21/25 - Amended Senate: 25117 HSC, 25150.82 HSC, 25150.84 HSC, 25150.86 HSC