Local legislators look to kill septic tank law
A long-delayed and controversial state bill regulating septic systems officially has foes in two North State assemblymen who on Thursday announced their own bill to kill the law.
Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, joined Roseville Republican Ted Gaines in writing Assembly Bill 268. The new bill seeks to repeal AB 885, the decade-old legislation that would force inspections of septic tanks every five years to protect groundwater supplies.
Nielsen represents Sutter and Colusa counties.
The inspection bill was to take effect Jan. 1, but the State Water Resources Control Board has delayed its launch by six months. However, North State lawmakers have proposed bills to kill or neutralize the legislation.
"It's happened before; ill-founded bills have been repealed by the Legislature," said Nielsen. "I'm of a mind that this statute is fixing something that's really not broken."
The repeal bill must win the go-ahead from the policy committees of both the Assembly and Senate to go to a vote, which Nielsen said could happen in September or October. AB 268 does not include a clause to further delay the inspection law, though that addition could be made before it goes to committee next month.
Opponents have long fought AB 885 as ladling expenses on property owners, especially rural ones, for excessive tank inspections and replacement. Officials in Yuba and Sutter counties say the checks of tanks and nearby wells would cost most homeowners between $600 and $800 per inspection — and tens of thousands more if a tank must be replaced.
The Assembly passed the bill in 2000 but the water board has never enforced it. Public forums across California set up this year in advance of an environmental report on the bill have energized its foes, leading one meeting in Santa Rosa to be held twice because of overcrowding at the meeting hall.
Yuba County supervisors could be next to throw their weight against AB 885. A resolution opposing the inspection bill is part of the board's agenda at its Tuesday meeting.
Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Howard Yune at 749-4708 or hyune@appealdemocrat.com.
