CA AB995

Creates the Board of Environmental Safety in the California Environmental Protection Agency with five members to oversee hazardous waste regulations, conduct at least 6 public meetings annually, review department policies, and hear appeals of permit and financial assurance decisions.

Establishes an ombudsperson office within the board to receive and evaluate complaints about the Department of Toxic Substances Control, report findings, and make recommendations.

Requires the department to prepare a state hazardous waste management plan every 3 years (starting March 1, 2024) based on data analysis reports and subject to board approval after at least 3 public hearings.

Replaces existing hazardous waste fees with a generation and handling fee of $35.50 per ton of hazardous waste generated (effective 2021) and creates a separate Hazardous Waste Facilities Account funded by facility fees (effective January 1, 2022).

Requires facilities to review financial assurances at least every 5 years, establishes permit decision deadlines with public reporting if missed, and extends permit application deadlines to 2 years before expiration for permits expiring after January 1, 2024.