CaliforniaCalifornia requires review of federal rule for discarded solar panels
California's signed law sets deadlines for waste officials to seek comments and review a federal rule before they may apply it to discarded solar panels classified as hazardous waste.
What it does
By July 1, 2028, state waste officials must hold at least one public workshop. Interested people may comment on whether a federal rule applies to California hazardous waste, including solar panels.
By July 1, 2029, state waste officials must consider workshop comments and study whether the federal rule could replace one or more state waste rules for discarded solar panels.
Based on review findings, state waste officials may adopt the federal rule for discarded solar panels classified as hazardous waste and revise it as needed.
Argument forPublic workshops could help people raise concerns before officials decide whether to apply the federal rule to discarded solar panels classified as hazardous waste.
Argument againstIf officials adopt the federal rule, discarded solar panels classified as hazardous waste might face fewer state controls when sent to another party for material recovery under required conditions.
More detail
State waste officials must hold at least one public workshop about whether a federal waste rule applies. The workshops cover hazardous waste generated in California, including solar panels. Interested people may comment at the workshops. Officials must hold the workshop or workshops on or before July 1, 2028.
State waste officials must consider workshop comments and evaluate whether the federal rule could replace some state waste rules. The review concerns discarded solar panels and state rules for managing hazardous waste. The review must include factors required for state rulemaking. Officials must complete the review on or before July 1, 2029.
State waste officials may adopt and revise the federal rule through state regulations. This option applies only to discarded solar panels identified as hazardous waste. Officials must base any adoption on findings from the required review. Officials may adopt the rule after the required review, which is due on or before July 1, 2029.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 872, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 6626.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 864 Ward Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB864 Ward By Allen. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 26In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 20Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Aug 20Ordered to second reading.Minor
- Aug 20From inactive file.
- 2025
- Sep 10Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator McNerney.
- Sep 3Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Sep 3From special consent calendar.
- Sep 2Ordered to special consent calendar.
- Aug 29Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 29From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).Minor
- Aug 18In committee: Referred to suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 17Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jul 16From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (July 16).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 1From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on E.Q.Major
- Jun 24In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
- Jun 11Referred to Com. on E.Q.Minor
- Jun 3In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Jun 2Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1859.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 864 Ward Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 23From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 30From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 29
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.Minor
- Apr 21From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 10Referred to Com. on E.S & T.M.Minor
- Feb 20From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
- Feb 19Read first time. To print.Introduced
Environment & Energy