AB 626: Underground storage tanks: design and construction requirements: exemption.
The bill would exempt operators of single-walled underground storage tanks from permanently closing them if they are acting in good faith to upgrade to double-walled tanks by September 30, 2025. To qualify for this exemption, operators must submit a written request to the local enforcement agency before September 30, 2025, and the agency must review and issue a determination within 60 days. The bill requires reimbursement for costs mandated by the state if the commission on state mandates determines that the bill contains such costs. The bill would take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
| Feb. 02, 2026 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| May. 23, 2025 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Apr. 23, 2025 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file. |
| Apr. 21, 2025 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Amended IN Assembly April 10, 2025 |
| Introduced by Assembly Member Papan (Coauthor: Assembly Member Haney) |
February 13, 2025 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
Existing law provides for the regulation of underground storage tanks by the State Water Resources Control Board. Existing law requires underground storage tanks that are used to store hazardous substances and that are installed after January 1, 1984, to meet certain requirements, including that the primary containment be product tight and that the tank’s secondary containment meet specified standards. Existing law provides that single-walled containers do not fulfill the requirement of an underground storage tank (UST) providing both a primary and a secondary containment, except under a specified circumstance. Existing law imposes various monitoring, inspection, replacement, and upgrading requirements on USTs installed on or before January 1, 1984, and used for the storage of hazardous substances. Existing law requires, by December 31, 2025, the owner or operator of a UST to permanently close that UST if the UST meets specified conditions.
This bill would exempt an operator from the tank closure requirement, described above, if the operator of a single-walled UST is acting in good faith to comply with the requirement to upgrade to a double-walled UST by December 31, 2025, and the operator meets specified conditions. The bill would require an operator seeking this exemption to submit a written request to the local enforcement agency, and would require the local enforcement agency to review the request and issue a determination within 60 days of receipt. By imposing additional duties on local officers, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 25292.06 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:25292.06.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an operator of a single-walled underground storage tank (UST) who is acting in good faith to comply with the requirements of Section 25292.05 to upgrade to a double-walled UST by December 31, 2025, shall not be subject to the penalties outlined in subdivision (b) of Section 25299, if all of the following conditions are met:SEC. 2.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.SEC. 3.
This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the meaning of Article IV of the California Constitution and shall go into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an operator of a single-walled underground storage tank (UST) who is acting in good faith to comply with the requirements of Section 25292.05 to upgrade to a double-walled UST by December 31, 2025, shall not be subject to the penalties outlined in subdivision (b) of Section 25299, if all of the following conditions are met:
(1)The operator has submitted a complete application for all necessary permits to upgrade or replace the single-walled UST no later than December 31, 2025.
(2)The operator has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the local enforcement agency that delays in obtaining the required permits are beyond the operator’s control and are due to circumstances, including, but not limited to, administrative backlogs, incomplete reviews, or other permitting-related delays.
(3)The operator continues to operate the single-walled UST in compliance with all other applicable requirements of this chapter, including leak detection and secondary containment measures, to minimize environmental risks during the grace period.
(b)An operator seeking relief pursuant to this section shall submit a written request to the local enforcement agency, including documentation of good-faith efforts to comply and evidence of delays. The local enforcement agency shall review the request and issue a determination within 60 days of receipt.
(c)This section does not waive the requirement for eventual compliance with Section 25292.05 or preclude the imposition of penalties for noncompliance with other provisions of this chapter.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.