[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6623992,"mediaKeyId","2769230-7a53279466badc60598b5438fd8a28c5","parentId",2769230,"title","Committee advances Safer Soap Act amid split testimony over science and federal preemption","audioSeconds",2153,"startMs",2879000,"endMs",5032000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769230-7a53279466badc60598b5438fd8a28c5&start=2879&end=5032","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769230-7a53279466badc60598b5438fd8a28c5/thumbnail_2879000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623992/California/Committee-advances-Safer-Soap-Act-amid-split-testimony-over-science-and-federal-preemption","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623992-4bf54cd19291e25f5056fb77e2657f82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136582&Signature=kUv0AnJMzUEcGAMOKLScpazUUEcAZ2AWWEr3xar0Nqhyu5pdQQj9eI3X254EB7-08GfD~mzCPDU7CVKlX9iB4gD7~WNEDFLVPZqpMikitYg3-N7UqYKiN6fNBku6haVKRe4kR9Wh6fND12Ijtv8s8Qzo-137qfEEcl9b8ogAuWhNe4rorwkpJ1JwOtp02nwf9jCpbGIQxO5gbbwPxgCsiJvcOym-7LRPbHe-tqWfp6q9g2Hy6K5pPw6SzqM-2DpmZKqkBvtZXLE3XrtYbYPtXY0r-4RnEFo01lzYxG0AD0hHuJo0xPpzS-1pCi6IgFAiLknKG5Y-EUJUeBKgQqSZ4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Assembly","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee voted to advance AB 916, the \"Safer Soap Act,\" authored by Assemblymember Lee. The bill would prohibit the sale of over‑the‑counter (consumer) hand soaps and body washes that contain the three named antimicrobial ingredients benzalkonium chloride (BAC), benzethonium chloride (BZT) and chloroxylenol (PCMX). The committee approved the measure and referred it to the Committee on Health.

Proponents, including Rebecca Fuoco of the Green Science Policy Institute and Nora Angeles of Children Now, said federal agencies have not demonstrated added consumer health benefits from these antimicrobials in home settings and identified possible health and environmental concerns. Fuoco cited peer‑reviewed research, saying quaternary ammonium compounds and related ingredients are persistent and have been associated in some studies with reproductive, respiratory and other harms. \"The science shows that regular soap and water, when used properly, remove 99.9% of pathogens without any unnecessary health risks,\" Fuoco said in support of the bill.

Opponents included James Kim of the American Cleaning Institute and Dan Shaw of the Personal Care Products Council, who told the committee the industry is conducting multi‑year studies requested by the FDA and that the ingredients are registered with federal agencies and used in health care and other settings. Several trade associations — including the Household and Commercial Products Association, American Chemistry Council and California Retailers Association — registered opposition in the hearing room and argued the bill could conflict with federal law or disrupt an ongoing evaluation by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

Members focused questions on three areas: federal preemption under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and FDA monographs; the distinction between consumer and health‑care uses (the bill exempts health‑care settings); and impacts on food‑handler and agricultural settings. Proponents and some members cited CDC and FDA statements that antibacterial soaps provide no added benefit over plain soap for consumer handwashing in home settings; opponents emphasized efficacy data used for healthcare and industry uses and warned of potential regulatory conflicts.

Committee discussion highlighted regulatory complexity. Opponents argued FDA's process for consumer over‑the‑counter antiseptics is ongoing and that a federal monograph process is intended to provide national uniformity. Proponents and other members noted DTSC is evaluating quaternary ammonium compounds and that committee action is intended as a precautionary measure for consumer products.

Motion and vote: The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 916 to the Committee on Health, moved and seconded on the floor. The roll call recorded aye votes from Assemblymembers Connolly, Bauer Kehan, Lee, McKenna and Papin (Pappen); Assemblymembers Hadwick and Castillo recorded \"no\" votes. The motion passed and the bill was referred to the Committee on Health.

Why it matters: The bill addresses consumer exposure to specific antimicrobials in widely used products and touches on federal‑state regulatory interactions, public health guidance and industry manufacturing practices. The committee hearing drew a mix of public‑health advocates and major industry trade groups with opposing conclusions about the existing science and regulatory status.

Next steps: AB 916 was referred to the Committee on Health for further consideration. Committee members requested continuing stakeholder engagement and additional scientific information from proponents and opponents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee voted to advance AB 916, the Safer Soap Act by Assemblymember Lee, which would ban over‑the‑counter hand soaps and body washes containing three named antimicrobial ingredients.","taxTitle","California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California","taxId",17099,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6623998,"Committee approves ban on synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products",2689,2481000,5170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769230-7a53279466badc60598b5438fd8a28c5&start=2481&end=5170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769230-7a53279466badc60598b5438fd8a28c5/thumbnail_2481000.jpg","/articles/6623998/California/Committee-approves-ban-on-synthetic-nitro-musks-in-cosmetics-and-personal-care-products","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623998-8aa4ee139e8551c50ce62c2c9a876672/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136582&Signature=jKFCRo3zL3uat27kWHzNyS78M7~MWybw0GLn92MruWxctXqX1u2ztp-Xz5iZd-AyVq-j8ZVTyVI~1KcS7~hzqoo1jfJAOJSdS4LLy2SdRLWUbYJvZXw2ICDaKp7xRQ~yKXkMRPL0eBuB8tsb34INN9yq6wE4apP2ZSMFEgOt6lx7KP~fAUqqE18fxl1YJNVXE-KETtoNXjvo5ig4Ds8ywLfCEu425LxzGD7t489c9bPMxMpb~tMP1N9SF4U2fI29pNX5hWkyR1BTYyR72vYpoUStm2MY0HumccHx0jTikGc0-CYtbAq7bGKRttVqqM8Hpiq2xhHkKOBs~Ds6kcNs2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee voted to send AB 60, authored by Assemblymember Pappen, to the Assembly Floor after a committee hearing where proponents described the measure as a public‑health and environmental protection step.

AB 60—called by the author the \"musk reduction act\"—would prohibit synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products. In presenting the bill, Pappen said the goal is \"having a little less musk in the environment\" and described nitro musks as synthetic fragrance chemicals that persist in the environment and have been linked in some studies to reproductive and other health risks.

Ryan Spencer of the Environmental Working Group testified in support, citing peer‑reviewed studies and saying nitro musks are persistent, bioaccumulative and have been detected in human tissue and indoor environments. \"These chemicals are not just unnecessary. They're dangerous and well documented in the scientific literature as persistent bioaccumulative toxins,\" Spencer said.

Other supporters included Sharon Gonzales speaking for the cities of San Mateo and Santa Rosa, representatives from California Environmental Voters, Women's Voices for the Earth and Sierra Club California. No one rose to speak in opposition during the hearing.

Committee members discussed the bill's scope and asked about supply chain and product substitution. One member cited Chanel as an example and asked whether manufacturers would withdraw affected products; supporters and the author said manufacturers could substitute other ingredients and that restrictions exist in other jurisdictions. Witnesses and the author referenced other countries' restrictions, saying some nations and the European Union have limited or restricted nitro musks.

Motion and vote: The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 60 to the floor. In the roll call the committee recorded aye votes from Assemblymembers Connolly, Bauer Kehan, Lee, McKinner and Papin (Pappen); Assemblymember Castillo recorded a \"no\" vote, and Assemblymember Hadwick did not vote. The chair recorded an aye. The committee clerk announced the measure passed out of committee.

Why it matters: Proponents framed the bill as aligning California with international approaches to reduce persistent fragrance chemicals in consumer products and to lower potential human and environmental exposures. The bill will now advance to the Assembly Floor.","The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee passed AB 60, the \"musk reduction\" bill by Assemblymember Pappen, to the floor. The bill would restrict synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products; proponents cited health and environmental concerns while no witnesses opposed during the hearing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624003,"Assembly committee advances bill directing state board to issue guidance on stormwater irrigation",399,2069000,2468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769230-7a53279466badc60598b5438fd8a28c5&start=2069&end=2468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769230-7a53279466badc60598b5438fd8a28c5/thumbnail_2069000.jpg","/articles/6624003/California/Assembly-committee-advances-bill-directing-state-board-to-issue-guidance-on-stormwater-irrigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624003-985a11b48ae2b5341d818794d30a6671/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136582&Signature=j3jeuvVg-IQd0BqhnubzU0O86VGkW3g8pIp-p-sWD~VsuV1LwFetkZZWwRLTeuATU2PvXM6HzdmeYXrFYEiFBPKSs-~AHQM0aBH3ZJ2xGZptkEbOxoJ3SJwbJcNw6VRdDmT274V8ucboc~HJZ5tjvxPKHz3x~maLfnLOtNyjkwH3lcXmEikVOxakbD5gqnYxcXn1begGzLAtfnANpD2hoXAWmwJA0OUVY-1PwzUTP7FcFvEs~d5IAtECbK1Kns7Fv-vpDcESN5GAxvyHmc6tFZd4EOKElXug2-vw2umj7~VM81an7fLPeTGnJHpkNxS3q4WYzLkjddX9~1Vj2YIxlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on May 20 advanced AB 638, a bill by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez that would direct the State Water Resources Control Board to develop guidelines for capturing, treating and using urban stormwater for irrigation on public lands. The measure passed on a committee vote and is due to go to the Committee on Appropriations.

AB 638 aims to provide statewide guidance for projects that capture urban stormwater for nonpotable uses such as irrigating parks, golf courses, medians and other public lands. \"Clear guidance is essential to provide certainty on how to safely build and operate stormwater capture and use projects,\" Rodriguez said during her presentation to the committee. She told members the measure responds to changing precipitation patterns and recurring droughts in California.

Mark Gold, director of Water Scarcity Solutions at the Natural Resources Defense Council, testified that the lack of state guidance has left significant investments underused. \"In the city of LA, we have four projects that cost an estimated $50,000,000 that were built for this purpose and are not being used for park and golf course irrigation because our local Department of Public Health has required that captured rainwater be treated to drinking water standards,\" Gold said. He also told the committee that more than $1,000,000,000 from the Los Angeles County Safe Clean Water Program has been invested in recent years but not used for stormwater capture projects because of regulatory uncertainty.

Supporters said guidance from the State Water Resources Control Board on treatment (including disinfection) and operational practices would reduce approval delays and encourage more frequent use of stormwater capture projects. No witnesses registered opposition during the hearing.

Committee members voiced broad support. A coauthorship offer was made from members representing Los Angeles and Wildland-Urban Interface districts. The committee’s staff recommendation and the chair’s recommendation were both for an \"aye\" vote.

Motion and vote: The committee recorded a motion to pass AB 638 to the Committee on Appropriations, moved by Assemblymember Bauer Kehan and seconded by Assemblymember McKinner. The roll call recorded aye votes from Assemblymembers Connolly, Hadwick, Bauer Kehan, Castillo, Lee, McKinner and Papin (Pappen). The committee clerk announced the matter passed.

Why it matters: Proponents say AB 638 would remove an obstacle to deploying locally funded stormwater capture projects that could reduce potable water demand and help cities maintain green spaces during drought. The bill directs the State Water Resources Control Board to develop the guidance; it does not itself set technical treatment standards beyond that direction.

Next steps: AB 638 was referred to the Committee on Appropriations for further consideration.","The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee voted to pass AB 638 by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez to the Committee on Appropriations. The bill would direct the State Water Resources Control Board to develop guidance for capture, treatment and reuse of urban stormwater for irrigation on public lands.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances Safer Soap Act amid split testimony over science and federal preemption

Committee approves ban on synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products

Assembly committee advances bill directing state board to issue guidance on stormwater irrigation