Upcoming State Senate Hearing in Los Angeles

[BLHamrick@AOL.COM]

Just wanted to let the interested list-members know, Senator Romero's Senate Select Committee on Urban Landfills will be holding a hearing on March 7, 2003, in Los Angeles, CA at the Ronald Reagan Building, at 300 S. Spring Street, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

                          

SUBJECT: Improper Handling and Disposal of Radioactive Waste:

 Where has it been buried?  What can California do?


This information is available on the State Senate's website at:


www.senate.ca.gov


Click on "Committees", then on "Select", then on "Urban Landfills," then on "Agenda."


Barbara L. Hamrick, CHP, JD


For a recap of current pending legislation, see below:


There are currently three bills in the Senate that relate to control of radioactive materials.  These are SB 13 (Romero), SB 201 (Romero) and SB 208 (Kuehl).


SB 13 is essentially a word-for-word reproduction of last year's SB 1970 (Romero), which was vetoed by the Governor.  It essentially prohibits the release or transfer of any radioactivity above background, detectable with the best technology, except to persons licensed (there are a few other exceptions in the bill, but many are, in my opinion, too vague, or otherwise unworkable).


SB 201 calls for the transfer of all duties currently performed by the Department of Health, Radiologic Health Branch to be transferred to the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), excepting certain uses at "health care facilities" (as defined in the bill to include hospitals, clinics and education facilities, among other things).  The bill specifically authorizes the regulation of materials while they are "on site" by DHS, and grants to DTSC the authority to regulate them in transit to or from the site, when disposed, including via effluent, or when they "may be" release to the environment.


SB 208 is a word-for-word copy of the last amended version of SB 1444 from last session.  The last amended version of this bill essentially prohibits the transfer of any lands at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory from being transferred unless certain conditions are met, including resort to the "above background" limitations in SB 13.