Bill > SB594

This bill adds a new section to California's Public Resources Code that introduces additional environmental justice protections for landfill permitting. Specifically, the bill prohibits state agencies from issuing waste discharge permits for new Class III landfills (which are non-hazardous solid waste disposal sites) until a local enforcement agency has conducted a publicly noticed hearing and certified that the proposed landfill will not disproportionately impact or harm an "environmental justice community". An environmental justice community is defined as an area with a Pollution Burden score in the 90th percentile according to the California Communities Environmental Screening (CalEnviroScreen) tool, which is used to identify disadvantaged communities. The bill applies to new Class III landfills that have not previously been issued a waste discharge permit or received waste on or before January 1, 2026. By requiring this additional review process, the legislation aims to prevent the placement of new landfills in communities that are already experiencing high levels of environmental pollution and potential health risks.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB594