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AB 626

Relating to: electronic copies of operators’ licenses and identification cards. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 13 co-sponsors

AB 626 provides a temporary penalty exemption for single-walled underground storage tank operators in good faith upgrading to double-walled tanks, if they have submitted permits an

Representative Subeck added as a coauthor
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Bill Summary · AB 626

AB 626 — Underground storage tanks: design and construction requirements: exemption

Author: Assemblymember Papan
Status: In committee; Held under submission (last action: 2025-05-23)
Introduced: February 13, 2025

Purpose / intent

AB 626 creates a temporary exemption from specified penalties for operators of single‑walled underground storage tanks (USTs) who are making a good‑faith effort to comply with state requirements to upgrade to double‑walled tanks but are delayed in obtaining permits. The bill aims to prevent immediate closures or penalty assessments where delays are attributable to permitting or administrative processes beyond the operator’s control, while preserving eventual compliance and environmental protections.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 25292.06 to the Health and Safety Code.
  • Provides that operators of single‑walled USTs who are acting in good faith to comply with Section 25292.05 (upgrade to double‑walled UST) will not be subject to penalties under subdivision (b) of Section 25299 during a limited grace period if they meet all conditions below.
  • Conditions for exemption:
    1. The operator has submitted a complete application for all necessary permits to upgrade/replace the UST by the specified deadline (versions in the record reference either September 30, 2025, or December 31, 2025; the final enacted text should be consulted for the operative date).
    2. The operator demonstrates to the local enforcement agency that permitting delays are beyond the operator’s control (examples: administrative backlogs, incomplete reviews, permitting delays).
    3. The operator continues to comply with all other applicable UST requirements (e.g., leak detection, secondary containment) during the grace period.
  • Administrative process:
    • Operator must submit a written request with supporting documentation to the local enforcement agency by the stated application deadline.
    • Local enforcement agency must review and issue a determination within 60 days and must provide that determination to both the operator and the State Water Resources Control Board.
  • Clarifies that the exemption does not waive the ultimate obligation to comply with Section 25292.05 nor shield operators from penalties for other violations.
  • Declares the measure an urgency statute to take immediate effect.
  • Includes a provision about state‑mandated local costs: if the Commission on State Mandates finds this bill creates reimbursable state mandates, reimbursement would be made under existing Government Code procedures.

Who is affected

  • Primary: owners/operators of single‑walled USTs subject to the state upgrade/closure requirements.
  • Local enforcement agencies: new duties to review exemption requests and issue determinations within 60 days — creates a state‑mandated local program.
  • State Water Resources Control Board: receives determinations and continues regulatory oversight.
  • Indirectly: communities and the environment (implications for continued single‑walled tank operation while permitting proceeds).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Short‑term economic relief for operators who initiated permit processes but face administrative delays.
  • Administrative workload for local agencies (60‑day review requirement) and possible reimbursable costs if mandated.
  • Public‑health/environmental balance: relief is conditioned on continued compliance with leak detection and containment rules; however, allowing continued single‑walled operation could extend exposure risks if compliance lapses.
  • Dates in the bill documents vary (Sept. 30 vs. Dec. 31, 2025) across versions; the final operative deadline should be confirmed in the final enrolled statute.

Legislative status / timeline

  • Referred to Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials (03/03/2025); amended and passed out of committee (04/09/2025); re‑referred to Assembly Appropriations (04/21/2025); set for suspense/first hearing (04/23/2025); held under submission (05/23/2025).
  • The bill was amended April 10, 2025. Because multiple versions in the record show differing deadline language, monitor subsequent committee or floor actions for the final text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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