Occupational safety: transboundary pollution.

Education Energy Labor

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Blakespear (S) , Padilla
Last action: 2026-04-20
Official status: April 20 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details about emergency regulations or their implementation.

Worker Safety from Transboundary Pollution

This law requires California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health to create safety rules by January 1, 2030, for outdoor workers exposed to transboundary pollution.

What This Bill Does

Requires the division to propose a standard that protects outdoor workers from high or prolonged exposure to transboundary pollution by January 1, 2030.
The board must consider identifying an exposure threshold for hydrogen sulfide at which acute or chronic health effects occur and may consider thresholds for other relevant pollutants.
Allows the board to develop standards in consultation with specified groups.
Gives the board permission to adopt emergency regulations if needed.

Who It Names or Affects

Outdoor workers who might be exposed to transboundary pollution.
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health in California.
Employers who have outdoor workers.

Terms To Know

Transboundary Pollution: Pollution that moves across borders, like air or water pollution from one country to another.
Hydrogen Sulfide: A gas with a strong smell of rotten eggs that can be harmful if breathed in.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify other pollutants besides hydrogen sulfide.
It is unclear how the new rules will affect different types of outdoor work.
There are no details on when emergency regulations might be needed or their implementation.

Bill History

2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
April 20 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 20.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (April 8).
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 8.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-12 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 14.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 1046, as amended, Blakespear.
Occupational safety: transboundary pollution.
Existing law, the California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973, exists for the purpose of assuring safe and healthful working conditions for all California workers by authorizing the enforcement of effective standards, assisting and encouraging employers to maintain safe and healthful working conditions, and providing for research, information, education, training, and enforcement in the field of occupational safety and health. Existing law establishes the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board within the Department of Industrial Relations for the adoption of occupational safety and health standards and establishes the Division of Occupational Safety and Health in that department for the enforcement of those occupational safety and health standards, as prescribed.
This bill would require the division, on or before January 1,
2030, to propose to the board for its review and adoption, a standard that protects the health and safety of employees who risk high or prolonged exposure to transboundary pollution, as defined, in outdoor occupational environments, as specified. The bill would require the board to consider identifying an exposure threshold for hydrogen sulfide at which acute or chronic health effects occur to reference in the standards and may consider exposure thresholds for other relevant pollutants. The bill would authorize the board to develop the
standards
standard
in consultation with other specified groups. The bill would authorize the board to adopt emergency regulations to implement these provisions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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