SB1131 - 452R - House Bill Summary

House of Representatives

SB 1131

vapor recovery systems; approval

Sponsors: Senators Bennett, Brown et al

DPA	Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology
DP	Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
X	Caucus and COW
	Third Read
	As Passed the House

SB 1131 modifies the authority of the Department of Weights and Measures (DWM) with respect to stage I and Stage II gasoline vapor recovery systems based on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards.

Current Status

The committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology adopted an amendment to SB 1131 with the following provisions:

· Provides that a retailer may equip all nozzles with a hold-open latch.

· Amends the definition of a hold-open latch.

SB 1131 passed the Commerce and Economic Development Committee unamended.

History

Current law provides that no person shall offer for sale, install or use a new or rebuilt gasoline vapor recovery system or any of its component parts, unless the system has been certified by the (CARB) standards in effect on January 1, 1998. Revisions to the CARB standards, decertifying these systems, were made effective April 1, 2001.

Gasoline vapor recovery systems are categorized under two stages. Stage I gasoline vapor recovery systems capture the vapors expelled from underground storage tanks at gasoline stations when being refilled by tank trucks. Stage II vapor recovery systems are used to control releases of gasoline vapors when vehicles are refueled. A specially designed nozzle is used at the gas pumps to collect vapors from the vehicle’s gas tank and return these collected vapors to the service station underground storage tank. Stage I and Stage II systems not only reduce pollution, but also conserve gasoline that would otherwise be lost into the air. Furthermore, they reduce exposure to inhalation of gasoline vapors which contain benzene, a known carcinogen, and other toxic substances.

Provisions

· Provides that no person shall sell, install or use a new gasoline vapor recovery system or any new or rebuilt parts of the system unless the system or component parts have been certified by CARB as of March 31, 2001 or have not been rejected by the DWM thereafter.

· Maintains that the DWM shall keep a current list of stage 1 and 2 vapor recovery systems and component parts approved by the department. Only systems approved by the department shall be used in this state.

· States that all certified vapor recovery components must be identified by a permanent identification affixed by the rebuilder or manufacturer.

Amendments