SB 995: Navigable waters: hazardous, medical, or human waste.

Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to place, deposit, or dump garbage in or upon the navigable waters of this state, or to place, deposit, or load it upon a vessel, with intent that it be dumped or deposited in or upon the navigable waters of this state or at any point in the ocean within 20 miles of any point on the coastline of the state.

Existing law specifies the methods by which hazardous and medical waste may be disposed of and makes the disposal in violation of those provisions a misdemeanor.

This bill would also make it a misdemeanor to place, deposit, or dump hazardous, medical, or human waste in or upon the navigable waters of this state, or to place, deposit, or load it upon a vessel, with intent that it be dumped or deposited in or upon the navigable waters of this state or at any point in the ocean within 20 miles of any point on the coastline of the state. The bill would also authorize a public health officer to declare a public health emergency if the garbage or hazardous, medical, or human waste constitutes a threat to the public health. By creating a new 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.