Portable internal combustion engines: registration program.

(1) Existing law establishes a voluntary statewide registration program for persons who operate portable equipment that may cause the issuance of air contaminants. Existing law requires an owner or operator of portable equipment who elects to not voluntarily register his or her portable equipment through the statewide registration program to obtain a permit from the applicable air pollution control district or air quality management district. Existing law requires an engine that remains at a fixed location for more than 12 consecutive months to be excluded from the definition of portable equipment for these purposes. Existing law, for purposes of portable internal combustion engines, defines "fixed location" to mean any single site at a building, structure, facility, or installation. This bill, for purposes of registration programs for persons who operate portable equipment that may cause the issuance of air contaminants, instead would define "fixed location" to mean any single point within a building, structure, facility, or installation, to the extent allowed by federal law. The bill would prohibit districts from requiring a permit for the construction or operation of portable equipment whether or not that portable equipment replaces or supplements an ongoing primary activity at a facility or installation, provided the replacement or supplemental portable equipment meets the emission limits, as specified. By imposing new duties on air pollution control districts and air quality management districts, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.