Assembly environmental committee advances a package of water, public‑health and product‑safety bills

The California State Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee advanced a group of bills covering water policy, consumer safety and hazardous‑waste management during a multi‑hour hearing. Committee members voted to move most measures to the next fiscal committee for further review, but several items drew extended public testimony and requests for amendments.

The package addressed a range of issues: statutory recognition of tribal water uses (AB 362); a statewide low‑income water rate assistance program (AB 532); age verification for anti‑aging skin products (AB 728); rules to let schools and household hazardous waste sites accept and recycle confiscated vape pens (AB 998); regulatory studies of copper‑based antifouling boat paints (AB 773); fee relief for geothermal hazardous‑waste streams (AB 1031); exemptions to streamline photovoltaic (PV) module recycling (AB 846); a first‑in‑the‑nation proposal to phase out particularly harmful ultra‑processed foods from school meals (AB 1264); a ban on intentionally added plastic microbeads in certain rinse‑off and cleaning products (AB 823); a requirement that the State Water Resources Control Board hold public hearings and vote on CWA §401 certifications for hydroelectric projects (AB 1373); a public‑health bill limiting youth access, marketing and packaging for kratom products and proposing a potency cap for 7‑hydroxymitragynine (AB 1088); and a proposal to add large commercial properties to a statewide stormwater permit to expand capture and treatment options (AB 1313).

Votes and next steps

Most bills were moved forward on motions to “do pass” to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations (or to Utilities and Energy for AB 532). Several motions were taken with the understanding that authors and stakeholders would continue negotiating amendments on the floor or in fiscal committee. Committee staff left some roll‑call votes open for absent members where noted.

Votes at a glance (committee action at this hearing) - AB 362 (Ramos) — Tribal beneficial water uses: Due passed to Appropriations (moved; continued negotiations noted on CEQA language). Public supporters included Melissa Tayaba (Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians) and multiple tribal and conservation organizations; opposition came from the Association of California Water Agencies and agricultural stakeholders who asked for clarifying amendments. (Action advanced.)

- AB 728 (Lee) — Age verification for anti‑aging skin products sold to minors: Due passed to Appropriations (committee recommended “aye” with members requesting narrower definitions and clearer carve‑outs for medically indicated acne treatments). Testimony included an 11‑year‑old witness describing skin injuries and experts for both the Children’s Advocacy Institute and the California Society of Dermatologists, who warned the bill could block medically useful over‑the‑counter acne products. (Action advanced; authors said they will refine definitions.)

- AB 532 (Ransom) — Statewide low‑income household water assistance (CA‑LIHWAP): Due passed to Utilities and Energy. Sponsors and municipal utilities supported the bill as a way to provide sustained bill relief and to clarify authority for local urban retail suppliers to operate affordability programs. (Action advanced.)

- AB 773 (Dixon) — Copper‑based antifouling paint: Due passed to Appropriations. The bill directs DPR and the State Water Board to coordinate studies and set timelines for reevaluation of low‑leach paints and for shared methods to address elevated copper concentrations in harbors, bays and marinas. City officials and recreational boating groups supported the bill; technical questions about other metals and long leach lifetimes were raised. (Action advanced.)

- AB 998 (Hadwick) — Household hazardous waste and vape pens: Due passed to Appropriations. The bill would allow schools to deliver confiscated vape…