Department of Toxic Substances Control: public meetings.

Under existing law, the Department of Toxic Substances Control generally regulates the management and handling of hazardous waste and hazardous materials. Existing law requires a facility handling hazardous waste to obtain a hazardous waste facilities permit from the department and authorizes the department to enforce the requirements of the hazardous waste control laws through various means, including conducting inspections, issuing orders requiring that violations be corrected, and imposing administrative penalties, as specified. This bill would require the department to hold at least 4 public meetings each calendar year to present on recent and upcoming decisions or actions relating to permitted hazardous waste facilities, hazardous waste cleanup sites, and the enforcement of the hazardous waste control laws. The bill would require the Director of Toxic Substances Control or his or her designee to be present and to run the meetings, and would require the department to provide time at each meeting for public testimony.