SB 489: Hazardous waste: photovoltaic modules.

The Hazardous Waste Control Law, among other things, vests the Department of Toxic Substances Control with the authority to regulate the generation and disposal of hazardous waste. Under now-expired authority, the department adopted regulations exempting specified hazardous waste management activities from certain statutory requirements related to hazardous waste management. These regulations are to remain valid unless repealed. A violation of the Hazardous Waste Control Law, including a regulation adopted pursuant to that law, is a crime. Under existing law, the hazardous wastes that are deemed exempt from the Hazardous Waste Control Law are known as universal waste and are regulated pursuant to universal waste management provisions.

This bill would authorize the department to adopt regulations to designate end-of-life photovoltaic modules that are identified as hazardous waste as a universal waste and subject those modules to universal waste management. The bill would authorize the department to revise the regulations as necessary. Because a violation of these regulations would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

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.