Bill > AB626

This bill addresses underground storage tank (UST) regulations by providing a temporary exemption from tank closure requirements for operators of single-walled tanks who are making good faith efforts to upgrade to double-walled tanks by December 31, 2025. Specifically, operators can avoid penalties if they submit a complete permit application for tank upgrade or replacement by September 30, 2025, demonstrate that permitting delays are beyond their control (such as administrative backlogs or incomplete reviews), and continue to operate the tank in compliance with existing environmental and safety regulations. Operators must submit a written request to the local enforcement agency before September 30, 2025, and the agency must review and respond within 60 days, providing its determination to both the tank operator and the state board. The bill does not permanently waive the requirement to upgrade tanks, but offers temporary relief to operators who are actively working to comply with existing regulations. As an urgency statute, the bill is designed to take immediate effect to prevent economic harm to tank operators who are making good faith efforts to meet regulatory requirements, and it includes provisions for potential state reimbursement of local agency costs associated with implementing the new requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB626