Hazardous materials management: stationary sources: skilled and trained workforce.

(1) Existing law establishes an accidental release prevention program for the state. Under that law, stationary sources subject to the accidental release prevention program may be required to prepare and submit a risk management plan (RMP) to prevent accidental releases of certain substances. Existing law imposes criminal penalties upon a stationary source that knowingly violates the requirements of the accidental release prevention program. Existing law requires an owner or operator of a stationary source that is engaged in certain petroleum-related activities, and with one or more covered processes that require the preparation and submission of an RMP, when contracting for the performance of construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, or maintenance work at the stationary source, to require that its contractors and any subcontractors use a skilled and trained workforce to perform all onsite work within an apprenticeable occupation in the building and construction trades. Existing law defines "skilled and trained workforce" to include, among other criteria, skilled journeypersons who are paid at least a rate equivalent to the applicable prevailing hourly wage rate. This bill would extend that workforce requirement to contracts awarded, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024, by an owner or operator of a stationary source that is engaged in manufacturing hydrogen, biofuels, or certain specified chemicals, or in capturing, sequestering, or using carbon dioxide in specified conditions. By expanding the scope of a crime, and by extending the laws enforced by uniform program agencies to additional stationary source owners or operators and thereby imposing additional duties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law provides for the establishment of apprenticeship programs in various trades, to be approved by the Chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards within the Department of Industrial Relations in any trade in the state or in a city or trade area whenever the apprentice training needs justify the establishment. Existing law requires apprentice training needs in the building and construction trades to be deemed to justify a new apprentice program only if one or more specified conditions are met, including, but not limited to, there being sufficient capacity for apprentices in a geographic area. This bill would require an above-described stationary source to be considered when determining whether an existing apprenticeship program has sufficient capacity for apprentices in a geographic area. (3) 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for specified reasons.