Back to California

AB-626 • 2026

Underground storage tanks: design and construction requirements: exemption.

Underground storage tanks: design and construction requirements: exemption.

Education
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Papan
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 summary specifies that operators must submit requests by September 30, 2025, but upgrade their tanks by December 31, 2025. The candidate explanation initially stated both dates as September 30, 2025.

Exemption from Closing Underground Storage Tanks

This law allows operators of single-walled underground storage tanks (USTs) storing hazardous materials until September 30, 2025, to apply for an exemption if they are trying to upgrade their tanks by December 31, 2025.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows owners or operators of single-walled USTs storing hazardous materials until September 30, 2025, to apply for an exemption from the requirement to close these tanks permanently if they are upgrading them by December 31, 2025.
  • Requires applicants seeking this exemption to submit a written request to their local enforcement agency before September 30, 2025.
  • Gives local enforcement agencies up to 60 days to review and decide on requests for exemptions.
  • Ensures that both the tank operator and the state board receive information about the decision made by the local enforcement agency.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Operators of single-walled underground storage tanks storing hazardous materials
  • Local enforcement agencies responsible for reviewing exemption requests

Terms To Know

Underground Storage Tank (UST)
A container that holds liquids or gases and is buried in the ground.
Single-walled UST
An underground storage tank with only one layer of containment.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if an operator fails to meet the conditions for exemption.
  • It is unclear how many operators will apply for and receive exemptions under this law.
  • Local enforcement agencies may face additional work reviewing requests and making decisions.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Held under submission.

  4. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.

  5. 2025-04-21 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  6. 2025-04-11 California Legislative Information

    Measure version as amended on April 10 corrected.

  7. 2025-04-10 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended.

  8. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 8).

  9. 2025-03-03 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.

  10. 2025-02-14 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.

  11. 2025-02-13 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 626, as amended, Papan.
Underground storage tanks: design and construction requirements: exemption.
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 September 30, 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, before September 30, 2025, and would require the local enforcement agency to review the request and issue a determination within 60 days of receipt. The bill would require the local agency to provide the determination to both the tank operator and the state board. 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.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Download Bill PDF