Damon Connolly — Assembly Member Damon Connolly identifies himself as the Chair of ESTM and opens the joint oversight hearing.
Catherine Blakespear — The meeting participants note that Chair Catherine Blakespear of Senate EQ is on her way and are awaiting her arrival. A few minutes later, they reiterate that they hope to hear from Senator Blakespear once she is able to join the hearing.
Catherine Blakespear — Addressed as Chair Blakespear at the start of the panel.
Catherine Blakespear — Addressed directly by the speaker in a question about how the Legislature can improve its relationship with BES.
Catherine Blakespear — The chair thanks Senator Blakespear in closing remarks. The transcript spells this as 'Blakespeare,' which is likely a transcription error.
Leticia Castillo — Assembly Member Leticia Castillo was welcomed to the hearing.
SB158 — Referenced as the measure that created the Board of Environmental Safety in 2021.
SB158 — SB 158 is cited as the basis for DTSC's brownfields revitalization work.
SB158 — SB 158 is discussed as the foundational DTSC reform bill that created the board and was intended as a reset for the department. The discussion explains that the bill directs the board to review and approve the director’s annual priorities, consider department metrics, and approve the hazardous waste management plan on a three-year cycle. Speakers also reflect on SB 158 as a negotiated reform package meant to improve DTSC governance and fee structure, and emphasize that current board actions should align with the bill’s original legislative intent.
SB158 — SB 158 is discussed as the bill the witness’s organization originally opposed, with the conversation focusing on how the bill organized certain structures or provisions as independent of one another, including references to them as separate articles and questions about how those structures should work together.
SB158 — SB 158 is discussed as the foundational law for the board: it required the fee structure analysis, created the board five years earlier, limited the board’s decision-making authority to certain areas, and set the initial GNH fee rate based on assumptions that later proved too low.
SB158 — SB 158 is discussed as the statute guiding the board’s role in making recommendations on the structure of its partnership with the Legislature, and the speaker adds that they were proud to have been part of the Legislature that passed SB 158.
SB158 — SB 158 is discussed as the measure that created the board to amplify frontline environmental justice voices and reform DTSC. The speaker notes that the bill’s intended goals are not fully being achieved because the board defers to DTSC staff, but still expresses support for SB 158 and says it helped make DTSC more transparent and accountable.
Angela Johnson-Mazaros — Angela Johnson-Mazaros is introduced as the first witness and begins her testimony by identifying herself as a senior attorney with Earthjustice’s Community Partnerships Program, speaking as an informed participant rather than on behalf of a client.
SB673 — SB 673 is discussed as the legislative basis for DTSC’s permitting and regulatory reforms. The speaker notes that DTSC implemented some of the bill’s mandates, but not the parts intended to protect people from dangerous facilities, and then returns to the bill as the directive DTSC is supposed to implement through its regulations.
SB673 — SB 673 was discussed as a bill that would require DTSC to consider the vulnerability and existing health risks of nearby populations when issuing, modifying, or renewing permits.
SB673 — The regulations required by SB 673 remain unfinished despite being required years ago.
SB673 — Referenced as the bill whose criteria on community vulnerability and setback distances have been pending for 11 years.
AB158 — AB 158 is cited as the governing statute limiting the board’s ability to refuse approval and defining the board’s role in approving the plan.
Don Kepke — Testified on behalf of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance.
Miguel Alatorre — Introduced as the next witness to testify.
Miguel Alatorre Jr. — Introduced himself and his roles with the Unidos Network, Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and Kings County Planning Commission.
Ms. Mazzaros — The chair asks Ms. Mazzaros about her organization’s original opposition to SB 158 and follows up on ongoing concerns, then Ms. Mazzaros responds that while concerns remain, there have been some positive changes, including a place for communities to bring forward issues.
Mr. Alatorre — The speaker thanks Mr. Alatorre for bringing a local government perspective and for recognizing improvements made by the oversight board.
Mr. Alatorre — Identified as chairing the Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
Ms. Kupke — Asked for suggestions on improving the fee structure while fee analysis is underway.
Angela — Thanked by the chair at the end of testimony; likely one of the witnesses in the prior panel.
Dave Cortese — Addressed as Chair Connolly in the transcript, but this appears to be a transcription error; likely the committee chair being thanked.
Andrew Rakestra — Introduced himself as Board Chair and began the update on DTSC reform.
SB502 — Referenced as the authority under which DTSC proposed a direct-to-regulatory-response priority product listing.
Steve Bennett — The transcript appears to say 'Chair Blake Speer,' which is likely a mis-transcription of Chair Steve Bennett.
SB673 — The speaker explains that the proposed regulations are being issued as required by Senate Bill 673 and adds that those regulations are long overdue.
SB673 — SB 673 is discussed in connection with community vulnerabilities and implementation.
Robin Christensen — Robin Christensen is introduced as Deputy Director of the Safer Consumer Products Program at DTSC and is invited to address the issue.
Ms. Messeros Johnson — Her feedback is described as instructive to the department's public engagement process.
Monique Limón — Referenced as 'pro tem Limón' who reappointed Georgette Gomez.
Alexander Reyes — Youth intern from O'Neill's Network in Kettleman City; spoke about youth representation and hazardous waste decisions.
Melissa Bumstead — Melissa Bumstead identified herself as a representative of Parents Against Santa Susana Field Lab.
Yobani — Young adult from Kettleman City who spoke in support of BES and for improvements.
Jenny Nack — Jenny Nack, co-director of Parents Against Santa Susana Field Lab, testified about concerns with the hazardous waste management plan, emphasizing that it has the potential to affect many communities and that the issue has broad public significance.
Daniel Talamantes — Testified on behalf of the Clean Air Coalition of North Whittier and Avocado Heights in East Los Angeles about Ecobat and concerns that BES is being captured.
Francisco Bonilla — Identified himself as chief financial officer for Needs Network and said he is from Huron, a farming community with similar environmental concerns.
Heidi Bonilla — Introduces herself as an intern at O'Neill's Network in Kettleman and says she is from Huron.