Trichlor Tax Bill Postponed in California

Senator Ben Allen, a Democrat from Santa Monica, introduced SB 676, a bill that aimed to authorize a local tax on specific swimming pool chemicals. However, the bill has been postponed until 2024. If passed, the bill would have allowed local public entities to impose a tax of up to $0.30 per tablet on trichlor tablets purchased at retail stores. The revenue generated from the tax would have been used for public education on the proper use of trichlor tablets in commercial and residential pool settings, as well as local water conservation efforts.

Exact Specifics of SB 676:

“This bill would authorize a county to levy a tax by ordinance, approved by a ¹/₂ vote of the electors, at a rate of no more than $0.30 per tablet, on the sale within its jurisdiction of trichlor tablets, as defined. The bill would require a county imposing such a tax to contract with the department to administer the tax and would require the ordinance levying the tax to sunset no later than 5 years after its effective date unless the ordinance is extended by the electors, as specified. The bill would require a retailer engaged in business in a county that has an operative ordinance enacted pursuant to the bill to collect the tax from the consumer at the point of sale and would require the retailer to remit the tax to the department. The bill would require the department to allocate the tax revenues, as specified, and would require the county to expend those revenues for purposes of public education related to proper use of trichlor tablets in commercial and residential pool settings and local water conservation.”

Controversial Bill Gets Pushback From California Pool Industry

During the recent meeting at the Western Pool & Spa Show, the CPSA Board of Directors unanimously voted against the bill after a spirited discussion. Discussions with the bill’s sponsor, HASA, revealed that amendments were being considered to expand the authority to dichlor tablets, as well as granular and stick forms of the products.

While the bill would not have applied to wholesale sales, concerns were still expressed by board members that it could set a bad precedent, and that the bill was premature since there had been no discussion with the industry on this topic.

With legislative policy committee deadlines quickly approaching in April, the decision was made to turn SB 676 into a two-year bill, meaning it will not move forward in 2023 but will still be eligible for consideration in 2024. This delay provides an opportunity for a broader debate within the industry regarding this topic.