Victory in Committee: Two Landmark Environmental Bills Advance in California

Thanks to the continued leadership support of Sens. Ben Allen and Catherine Blakespear and support and advocacy and our allies, we’re thrilled to share a major legislative win—two National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) co-sponsored environmental bills have cleared a key hurdle in the California Senate.

On April 2, 2025, following powerful testimony from NSAC Executive Director Heidi Sanborn, and incredible support from our coalition and community, SB 561 and SB 501 passed out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.

SB 501 (Allen)

Household Hazardous Waste Producer Responsibility Act

Passed 6-0!

This timely legislation ensures producers will share in the responsibility of managing the most costly and dangerous household hazardous waste (HHW) products—holding producers accountable for safe end-of-life management of pesticides, pool chemicals, vaping products, and other toxic items that threaten human health and the environment. 

This bill brings Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to a range of household hazardous waste (HHW) products—such as batteries, pesticides and mercury thermostats.

If enacted, SB 501 would:

• Ensure producers share in the responsibility for the safe end-of-life management of HHW

• Reduce the cost and management burden on local governments and consumers

• Protect public health, worker safety, and the environment

  
  

California’s SB 561 (Blakespear)

Emergency Distress Flare Safe Disposal Act

Passed unanimously, 8-0!

This groundbreaking bill establishes a manufacturer-funded stewardship program to ensure expired marine flares are safely collected and disposed of. These flares contain hazardous chemicals and pose major risks to sanitation workers, communities, and marine life if not handled properly.

SB 561 ensures:

• Toxic marine flares are kept out of landfills and waterways

• Waste workers and first responders are better protected

• California continues its leadership in responsible product stewardship

  
  

Watch the Hearing and Heidi Sanborn’s Testimonies 

Heidi Sanborn’s testimony helped secure bipartisan support for both bills. Watch her testimony below.

Heidi Sanborn explains why SB 501 is a vital step toward Extended Producer Responsibility for household hazardous waste—holding manufacturers accountable and safeguarding public health, worker safety, and our ecosystems.

Watch Heidi Sanborn testify in support of SB 561, a commonsense bill to safely collect and dispose of expired marine flares—protecting waste workers, first responders, and California’s environment from toxic hazards.

Thank You for Your Support

This win would not have been possible without:

• The continued leadership support of Sens. Ben Allen and Catherine Blakespear 

• The Senators who voted YES

• The advocates and experts who testified

• Everyone who submitted letters, joined coalitions, or donated to support our work

You made this victory possible.

What’s Next?

Both bills now move to the Senate Judiciary Committee. As we continue fighting for their passage, we’ll need even more voices, more action and more support.

Help Us Keep the Momentum Going

Sign on in Support of SB 501

Sign on in Support of SB 561

Your financial support fuels our work—from policy development to grassroots advocacy and expert testimony. Help us take the next step in making these bills law.

Donate Now to Support This Work