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Politics and Issues

Hazardous chemicals to be kept out of toys

December 2008

Tense budget negotiations and friction in the State Capitol made 2008 a tough year for environmental solutions. A few bipartisan measures were enacted to protect California families, but many other worthy bills were either stopped short of enactment or vetoed by the Governor.

Bills passed
AB 1879 grants the Department of Toxic Substances Control sweeping new authority to keep hazardous chemicals out of toys, packaging, furniture, and other consumer products.

AB 2347 requires manufacturers to establish and fund a program to recycle thermostats containing mercury, a potent neurotoxin.

AB 2911, responding to the Cosco Busan oil spill, promises to shore up the State’s prevention, response and mitigation of future spills, and to improve the number and training of volunteers used in rescuing oiled wildlife.

Bills vetoed
AB 2447 would have required a city or county to make a finding of adequate fire protection before approving subdivisions.

SB 974 would have assessed a fee on shipping containers and used the revenues to fund improvements in air quality and transportation around the mega-ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland.

SB 1113 would have given environmental and consumer attorneys who sue polluters more power to hire expert witnesses by allowing recovery of those costs when they win cases important to the public interest.