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The purpose of the Chemical Industry Council of California is to provide an effective means for individual companies engaged in the commerce of chemicals to combine their talents and resources to deal effectively with public policy issues affecting the chemical industry in California.
Top of the News
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Concurrence Votes Possible Today
Green Chemistry Bill Rockets thru Assembly
Second Bill Handily Clears Senate
CICC Supported Legislation Successful- Concurrence Votes to Follow
(Posted 08/28/08)
SB 509 (Simitian) passed the Assembly Floor yesterday by better than 2/3 majority vote (55-10 w/ 15 non-voting), a true bi-partisan effort. About an hour later, the Senate passed AB 1879 (Feuer) 24 to 13. CICC supported the passage of both bills and actively lobbied on their behalf. Each bill must now be returned to its respective House-of-Origin for a vote of concurrence regarding the amendments inserted by the opposite House.
If successful the bills will be enrolled and sent to the Governor for his signature. Remember, the bills are "double-joined," which means they must both pass for either to take effect.
CICC continues to support the bills and is encouraging a "Aye" vote on the question of concurrence. Stay tuned for updates!
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Posted Earlier
CICC Advocates for Passage of AB 1879
Companion Bill SB 509 Amended on Assembly Floor as Agreed
(Posted 08/23/08)
Sacramento - Friday, 8/22/08, CICC issued a press release supporting AB 1879 and continued walking the halls of the State Capitol advocating for Senate passage. The previous afternoon, 8/21/08, CICC spoke in support of the bill during a briefing of the Assembly Republican E3 (Environment, Energy, and Economy) Caucus.
Later that same afternoon CICC appeared before the Senate Environment Committee in support of the AB 1879, a bill granting authority to the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to develop a regulatory framework enabling state scientists, rather than legislators, to make objective decisions regarding identification, prioritization and regulation of chemicals and chemical uses. Appearing alongside the author, Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D, LA) were Maureen Gorsen, Director of DTSC; Bill MaGavern, Political Director, Sierra Club; and John Ulrich, CICC's Executive Director.
Ulrich testified that CICC has been involved in discussions regarding Green Chemistry since the issue first came to public attention. Green Chemistry in the context of Sustainable Development is not inconsistent with the goals of the chemical industry. As amended, AB-1879 will allow for the development of a regulatory framework, in accordance with the due process protections of the Administrative Procedures Act, which will set in motion for the first time in California a mechanism to allow scientists to make scientific decisions ranging from "no action" up to and including the prohibition of certain chemical uses, and in the worst case scenario - prohibition of the chemical itself.
Joining CICC in support of the bill was Tom Jacob, DuPont. Numerous other industry trade associations came forward to announce that they were removing their opposition to the bill. The American Electronics Associations (AEA) and elements of automobile industry spoke in opposition to the bill, each requesting an exemption from its provisions. Also opposing were the Environmental Justice Advocates who indicated the bill did not go far enough.
The bill also directs the establishment of a process to evaluate chemical alternatives, in order to avoid the unintended consequences of inappropriate substitutions. A Green Ribbon Advisory Panel is established to provide continuing advice and counsel to the DTSC, and the entire process will be subject to multimedia review and lifecycle assessment conducted by the Environmental Policy Council, which is comprised of the Secretary of Cal/EPA and the heads of the principle boards, offices, and departments within the agency.
Earlier in the week, Administration officials brokered compromise language in a two bill package, AB-1879 (Feuer) and SB 509 (Simitian), which led to a breakthrough in negotiations. Read stories in CICC News. The two bills, as amended will address the same section of law and are therefore "double joined," so neither of the amended bills will override the provisions of the other bill. Both bills must pass and be signed in order for either to become operable.
As agreed, Senator Simitian's SB 509 was amended Friday, 8/22/08, on the Assembly floor. The amendments remove earlier ingredient disclosure language and replace it with language authorizing OEHHA and DTSC to establish a Clearinghouse for chemical hazard traits. SB 509 also contains technical and "cleanup" provisions affecting AB 1879 including definitions. Among the definition is an all encompassing description of 'consumer products.' All parties agree the definition will need further refinement in regulations to follow.
CICC is and has been supportive of a process for regulating chemicals based on sound science. We believe the compromise between the authors of the legislation, and the Administration is sound and workable. SB 509 will provide valuable input to the scientific identification and prioritization process authorized in AB 1879. CICC views the two bills integral parts of a developing regulatory framework for science based decisions regarding chemicals. CICC position on both AB 1879 and SB 509 is one of Support.
Please continue to monitor CICC's website www.cicc.org for most recent developments or contact the CICC office at 916-989-9692.
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Thursday, August 28, 2008
Saga Stretches On and On
Countdown to End of Session - Friday, August 29th
CICC Supported "Green Chemistry" Bills Returned to House-of-Origin for Concurrence Vote!
Assembly Approves Perfluorinated Ban - Reconsideration of BPA Pending
Senate Refuses Passage of Bill to Ban Halogenated Fire Retardants
(Updated 08/28/08)
PRIORITY BILLS in SENATE:
- Returned to Senate -SB 509 (Simitian) Consumer products: content information; removed from inactive 7/15/ 08; placed on 3rd reading on Assembly floor; amendments pending; re-referred to Asm Cmte on Judiciary; 8/20/08 - Administration brokered compromise may clear way for deal on AB 1879 and SB 509; bill will be 'gutted and amended' to remove ingredient disclosure language and insert Hazard Trait Clearinghouse plus additional provisions;
CICC Position: Support
- News Coverage
· CICC Press Release 08/22/08
- Passage Refused AB 706 (Leno) Fire retardants (brominated). Failed passage on Senate floor by a single vote in September 2007; granted reconsideration; placed on Senate inactive file in February 2008; amended and removed from inactive file; returned to Senate EQ Committee; passed EQ on 08/06/08 by vote of 4 to 1; moved to third reading on Senate floor, 8/19/08 CA Dept. of Consumer Affairs registers Administration's opposition to bill, 8/22 amended and returned to second reading, 8/26 passage refused - 15 Ayes - 19 Noes; CICC Position: Opposed
- Hijacked, Amended, Side-tracked - AB 1183 (Hancock Lieber) Assemblywoman Lieber, having failed 3 times (AB 815 (2007), AB 515, AB 514) to pass her PEL language, is trying it one more time with a new tactic. She has taken a Lori Hancock bill and amended it by inserting her (Lieber) language in that bill. Ms Hancock has removed her name from the bill. AB 1183 was amended 8/22 and referred to Senate second reading; 8/25 read third time - not assigned file number; re-referred to Sen. Rules Cmte; CICC Position: Oppose
- Crisis Brewing - AB 2175 (Laird) Water Conservation; from Sen. Nat'l Resources and Water Cmte; amended 8/22; to Sen. third reading; file , item 139; CICC Position: Oppose
- News Coverage
· Coalition Opposition Letter 08/21/08
- Returned to Assembly - AB 1879 (Feuer) Hazardous materials: toxic substances - Passed by Assembly and referred to Sen. EQ, Amended, Passed Sen. EQ on 6/23/08 and re-referred, to Sen. Appropriations w/author's commitment to amend bill and return it to EQ Cmte for review before proceeding to Sen. floor; Discussions with author and proponents re: amendments reach an impasse; bill set for hearing in Sen. Appropriations on 7/14/08; placed on Suspense; 8/7/08 removed from Suspense passed Appropriations without amendments, amended and placed on third reading 8/12/08; file number 194, Senate EQ; has called for return of bill to Cmte for re-hearing - Administration brokered compromise may clear way for deal on AB 1879 and SB 509 8/21/08- Sen. EQ approves AB 1879 on vote of 5 to 2; CICC testifies in support of measure; to Senate Floor, passed 24 - 13; returned to Assembly for concurrence vote.
CICC Position: Support
· CICC Press Release 08/22/08
· "A boost for the Green Chemistry Initiative" 08/22/08
- Reconsideration Vote Pending - SB 1713 (Migden) Children's products: bisphenol - Passed by Senate and referred to Asm Toxics Cmte, passed Toxics Cmte and referred to Asm Health Cmte, Passed Asm Health; amended 8/7/08; failed passage on Assembly floor 8/18 - reconsideration granted; 8/22 amended, moved to third reading; 8/27 file item 145; CICC Position: Remain Opposed
- News Coverage
· "Calif. weighs chemical ban in baby bottles" - 08/11/08
· "FDA: Chemical found in plastic bottles is safe" - 08/15/08
· "California Assembly rejects two bills on chemical bans" - 08/19/08
- Passed upon Reconsideration - SB 1313 (Corbett) Product safety: perfluorinated compounds Passed by Senate and referred to Asm Toxics Cmte, passed Toxics Cmte and referred to Asm Health Cmte, failed passage in Asm Health, granted reconsideration, amended and set for reconsideration in Asm Health Cmte 6/24/08; Passed Asm Health on 6/24/08; third reading Assembly Floor; 8/13/08 amended, failed passage on Assembly floor 8/18 - reconsideration granted; 8/21/08 amended; to third reading; 8/27 passes 43 to 31 on reconsideration. CICC Position: Remain Opposed - will seek Governor's Veto
- News Coverage
· "California Assembly rejects two bills on chemical bans" - 08/19/08
PRIORITY BILLS - FAILED PASSAGE - DEAD
- AB 514 (Lieber) Workplace safety and health (this bill was a last minute 'gut and amend' effort to revive the language in AB 515 - a bill which died earlier in session - the defeat of AB 514 marks the third time in four years the proposal has been rejected); Author attempting to resurrect language in AB 1183 (Hancock Lieber); See status report on AB 1183 above; Bill Status AB 514/515: Both Dead; CICC Position: Opposed/Opposed
- AB 558 (Feuer) Chemical substances: testing, Bill Status: Dead; CICC Position: Opposed
- AB 2505 (Brownley) Hazardous waste: polyvinyl chloride packaging container; Bill Status: Dead; CICC Position: Opposed
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(Updated 08/18/08) The Industrial Environmental Association, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association and the Chemical Industry Council of California announce plans for the Annual, Environmental Summit. This year's Summit, "Navigating in an Ever-Greening World," is scheduled for October 21st and 22nd at the Catamaran Hotel & Resort located on San Diego's lovely Mission Bay. Topic areas include: -Climate Change -Air Quality -Water Quality -Hazardous Materials -Green Chemistry -Safety -Security -Recycling/Waste Reduction -Product Stewardship -Greening your Business -Sustainability -Compliance Updates -Emerging Trends -New Legislation CICC will host a special half-day Board of Directors and members meeting on Oct. 20, 2008 in conjunction with the Summit. Please continue to monitor this website for continuing updates. * * * * *
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Chemical Industry Council of California