INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: May 26, 2026
Subject: PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF ON DISSOLUTION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COMMISSION
Submitted For: Dr. Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Department: Health Services Department
Referral No:
Referral Name:
Presenter: Nicole Heath, Director of Hazardous Materials Program, Health Services Department
Contact: Nicole Heath, Nicole.Heath@cchealth.org
Referral History:
The Hazardous Materials Commission (HMC) was established by the Board of Supervisors in 1986, to comply with the requirements of Health and Safety Code Section 25135.2 (attachment 1). This section required counties to establish local advisory committees to "assist the county in the preparation and administration of the county hazardous waste management plan." However, in 2021 Senate Bill 158 (SB 158) was adopted and codified as Health and Safety Code Section 25135 and Section 25135.2 was repealed (attachment 2 and 3). Section 25135 now identifies the Department of Toxic Substances and Control as the responsible party for hazardous waste management plans. SB 158 established a Board of Environmental Safety comprising of 5 seats appointed by the Governor, Senate Committee, and Speaker of Assembly in lieu of local advisory committees. The core mission of the HMC was to provide policy recommendations for hazardous materials and hazardous waste and advise the board, elected officials, and county & city staff.
Referral Update:
As the regulatory framework, board structure, and county policies and procedures have evolved, the HMC's initial charge has been limited. This has resulted in reduction in effectiveness and duplicative efforts among various commissions. There is a notable alignment between many of the current HMC activities with the following: ISO Ad Hoc, Sustainability Commission, Fire Advisory Commission.
The HMC's original tasks were to draft a detailed hazardous waste management plan which would include information regarding hazardous ...
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