Hazardous waste control laws: exemption: geothermal resources.

Crime Energy Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Jeff Gonzalez
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on who pays for enforcing these rules.

Exemption for Geothermal Waste from Hazardous Waste Laws

This law changes how California handles geothermal waste by expanding exemptions and setting a limit on fees.

What This Bill Does

Expands the exemption of geothermal waste from hazardous waste control laws, removing certain limitations that previously applied.
Limits the fee for handling non-exempt geothermal waste to $10 per ton.

Who It Names or Affects

Companies that generate geothermal waste from exploring, developing, or producing geothermal energy.
The Department of Toxic Substances Control which regulates hazardous waste and materials.

Terms To Know

Geothermal Waste: Waste produced during the exploration, development, or production of geothermal energy that is not from drilling for resources.
Hazardous Waste Control Laws: Rules set by California to manage and regulate hazardous waste and materials.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if geothermal waste is no longer contained in a piping system or other containment.
It's unclear how the changes will affect existing regulations on handling non-exempt geothermal waste.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-25 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
2025-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-24 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1031, as amended, Jeff Gonzalez.
Hazardous waste control laws: exemption: geothermal resources.
The hazardous waste control laws require the Department of Toxic Substances Control to regulate the handling and management of hazardous waste and hazardous materials. Existing law requires a generator of hazardous waste to pay to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration a generation and handling fee for each generator site, and requires the Board of Environmental Safety to establish a schedule of rates for the fee, as provided. A violation of the hazardous waste control laws is a crime.
Existing law generally exempts geothermal waste that is generated from the exploration, development, or production of geothermal energy and that does not result from drilling for geothermal resources from the hazardous waste control laws. Existing law limits that exemption under various circumstances, including, among other circumstances, when
the waste is no longer contained in a piping system, nonearthen trench, or other specified form of containment, or is left in a lined surface impoundment 18 months after the date the surface impoundment has last received waste.
This bill would limit the generation and handling fee rate for geothermal waste that is not exempt from the hazardous waste control laws to no more than $10 per ton.
This bill would expand the scope of the geothermal waste exemption by deleting the limits of that exemption, as described above.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF