SB 966: Refinery and chemical plants.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the California Refinery and Chemical Plant Worker Safety Act of 1990, requires the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to promote worker safety through implementation of training and process safety management practices in refineries, chemical plants, and other appropriate facilities, including by adopting process safety management standards and regulations. The act defines “process safety management” and other terms for its purposes. The act also requires an employer to develop and maintain written safety information, emergency action plans, operating procedures, procedures to manage changes, and inspection and testing programs.

This bill would require an employer, in consultation with employees and employee representatives, to develop, implement, and maintain a written plan to effectively provide for employee participation in all process safety management elements. The bill would also require, on or before April 1, 2027, an employer, in consultation with employee and employee representatives, to develop and implement stop work procedures and procedures for reporting and responding to hazards, as specified. The bill would require an employer to document specific information relating to a partial or complete shut down of an operation or process and reports of hazards. The bill would provide how employees who are and who are not represented by an authorized collective bargaining agent participate in the development of these plans and procedures.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 31, 2026Ordered to inactive file on request of Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry.
2. August 13, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
3. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (August 13).
4. August 13, 2026Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
5. August 5, 2026August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
6. June 25, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7. June 4, 2026Referred to Com. on L. & E.
8. May 27, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
9. May 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 30. Noes 9. Page 4481.) Ordered to the Assembly.
10. May 14, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
11. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2. Page 4259.) (May 14).
12. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.