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Committee advances bill to create statewide permitting for metal‑shredding facilities
Summary
The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee advanced SB404, a bill from Senator Anna Caballero that would require permits and operational standards for metal‑shredding facilities and expand DTSC enforcement authority.
The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee advanced SB404, a proposal from Senator Anna Caballero that would establish a statewide permitting and oversight program for metal‑shredding facilities in California.
The bill would require new and existing facilities to obtain permits from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), meet operational and performance standards — including fire prevention, emergency response and stormwater management — undergo California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, and pay fees to cover administrative and enforcement costs. Senator Caballero told the committee she will accept committee amendments and described the bill as creating “a new regulatory framework to ensure compliant, comprehensive and safe regulation of metal shredding facilities in California.”
Supporters said the sector is critical to the state’s recycling supply chain and that unclear regulation has produced litigation and uncertainty. Meg Grozge of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, speaking for the California Metal Recyclers Coalition, said the industry recycles large volumes of vehicles and appliances and that “the legal and regulatory certainty this bill provides is essential for the future viability of this critical industry.” Scott Wetsch, representing several trade unions, said the regulatory uncertainty has added costs for contractors and apprenticeship programs and urged a “yes” vote.
Opponents and community groups urged stronger safeguards or different regulatory approaches. Nicole Marino Choi of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project testified that the bill, “hands control over to the very industry responsible for the contamination,” and warned it would not require “the strong protections these communities deserve.” Several smaller recyclers, including William Mendonca of Universal Service Recycling, said the bill as written was a “one‑size‑fits‑all” approach that would unduly burden small operators that do not perform the same processing steps as larger shredders.
Committee members asked whether smaller operations would be treated differently. Senator Caballero said the permitting scheme is designed so each facility prepares a compendium of site‑specific plans describing operations and proposed controls; DTSC would review and make permit determinations that could reflect facility size and activity. Caballero also said the bill preserves the existing authorities of the Air Board, Water Board and county health departments.
Votes at a glance: The committee moved SB404 out of policy with a recommendation to pass and refer to Appropriations. The committee recorded that the motion passed with six affirmative votes.
What’s next: SB404 was advanced to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration; proponents and opponents said negotiations on small‑facility treatment and permit details will continue.
