Metal shredding facilities: regulations.

Assembly Member Solache's metal shredding facility legislation shifts financial responsibility for air quality monitoring costs from local air districts to facility operators, while maintaining existing environmental safeguards established under California law.

The measure modifies current requirements that direct air pollution control districts and air quality management districts to develop comprehensive fence-line air monitoring systems at metal shredding facilities by January 2027. While preserving the core monitoring framework, the bill requires facility owners and operators to reimburse districts for reasonable regulatory expenses incurred during implementation - a cost currently authorized but not mandated through district fee authorities.

Under the existing monitoring program, districts must establish threshold levels for airborne contaminants including lead, zinc, cadmium, and nickel in consultation with state health officials. Districts also develop notification procedures to alert nearby communities when contamination exceeds specified levels, create enforcement protocols for facilities that surpass limits, and oversee reporting of monitoring data to local public health departments. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment continues to receive reimbursement for its role through the state's Hazardous Waste Control Account.

The legislation maintains the January 2027 deadline for districts to finalize monitoring requirements and the July 2027 timeline for adopting implementing regulations. Districts retain their existing oversight and enforcement authorities to ensure facility compliance with the monitoring standards.