Lawmakers press DTSC on enforcement, permits, fees and consumer-chemical work four years after SB 158

A joint oversight hearing of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee reviewed implementation of reforms enacted by SB 158 in 2021 and pressed the Department of Toxic Substances Control on permits, fees, enforcement and safer consumer-products work. Senators and assemblymembers heard testimony from DTSC Director Katie Butler, Board of Environmental Safety Chair Andrew Raikstra, regulated-industry and environmental groups, and a range of community members directly affected by legacy contamination.

The hearing focused on whether reforms passed four years ago have delivered sustained transparency, fiscal stability and stronger enforcement. Director Katie Butler told lawmakers she has organized the department’s work around three pillars — enforcement, improved community engagement and cross‑agency collaboration — and described recent enforcement and outreach steps that she said reflect that strategy.

Why it matters: DTSC enforces hazardous‑waste law across California and oversees cleanup of legacy sites. Lawmakers and advocates said timely permitting, clear performance metrics and stronger public engagement are necessary to protect communities — especially those overburdened by pollution.

Director Butler highlighted enforcement actions and community outreach as evidence of progress. "First, enforcement, strength, strengthening our enforcement culture at the department," Butler said, and described criminal‑investigation collaboration with the Los Angeles District Attorney that led to charges against Atlas Metals and the facility’s shutdown because it operated adjacent to a high school. She also said DTSC…