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Rule Update

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PR = Proposed Rule PAR = Proposed Amended Rule/Regulation

The following proposed amended rules and regulations are tentatively scheduled for
hearings at upcoming Governing Board meetings in 2026. To verify whether scheduling
changes have occurred, visit South Coast AQMD’s website at www.aqmd.gov/home/
news-events/meeting-agendas-minutes
, check the Rule and Control Measure Forecast
item on the most recent Governing Board meeting agenda, or call the Clerk of the
Board’s Office at (909) 396-2500. Copies of South Coast AQMD rules and regulations can
be downloaded from the website at www.aqmd.gov/home/rules-compliance/rules/
scaqmd-rule-book
or obtained from the Public Information Center at (909) 396-2039.

AUGUST

PAR 1401 – New Source Review of Toxic Air Contaminants
Proposed Amended Rule 1401 will include new toxic air contaminants identified by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment or to revise health values for existing compounds. Contact: Neil Fujiwara at nfujiwara@aqmd.gov or (909) 396-3512

Rule 1302 - Definitions defines terms used in Regulation XIII – New Source Review, which sets forth the federal and state mandated pre-construction review program for new, modified, or relocated sources for non-RECLAIM air contaminants. The recently amended rule updates the definition of Essential Public Service to include composting operations under specific circumstances. California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) requires organic waste diversion from landfills. It mandates statewide residential and commercial organic waste collection to compost or recycle food scraps, yard waste, and paper. This amendment allows qualified composting operations to draw from credits in the Priority Reserve rather than buying them on the open market as they implement state mandated organic waste diversion. Contact: Michael Morris at mmorris@aqmd.gov or (909)396-3282

South Coast AQMD’s efforts to lower toxicity of coatings, solvents, adhesives, and metal working fluids

Smog is formed when Volatile Organic Compounds photochemically react with oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the atmosphere and the reactivity of VOCs varies by compound. Certain VOCs that negligibly contribute to the formation of ground level ozone or smog are considered exempt from the regulatory definition, so they are used by many coating manufacturers to comply with South Coast AQMD rules. However, some exempt compounds have potential toxic health risk. Two exempt compounds, para-Chlorobenzotrifluoride (pCBtF) and tert-Butyl Acetate (t-BAc), commonly used in coatings, solvents, adhesives, and metal working fluids, have recently been determined to be potent carcinogens. South Coast AQMD has been amending our VOC rules, evaluating each category to assess if pCBtF and t-BAc are being used and establishing a schedule for their phase out. To date, South Coast AQMD has amended the following seven VOC rules to address the health risk from pCBtF and t-BAc with many more rules currently undergoing amendments.

Rule 1168 - Adhesive and Sealant Applications (Amended November 2022)
Rule 1151 - Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Non-Assembly Line Coating Operations (Amended November 2024)
Rule 1171 - Solvent Cleaning Operations (Amended June 2025)
Rule 1107 - Coating of Metal Parts and Products (Amended December 2025)
Rule 1144 - Metal Working Fluids and Direct- Contact Lubricants (Amended April 2026)
Rule 1124 - Aerospace Assembly and Component Manufacturing Operations (Amended April 2026)
Rule 1136 - Wood Coating Operations (Amended June 2026)

Additional information regarding VOCs, coatings, rules, and exempt compounds can be found on the South Coast AQMD’s VOC Compliance Page. Additionally, a document summarizing the pCBtF and t-BAc phase out schedule for recently adopted rules can be found here. Additional rules will be added as they are amended. Contact: Heather Farr at HFarr@aqmd.gov or (909)396-3672

SEPTEMBER

PAR 461 – Gasoline Transfer and Dispensing
Proposed Amended Rule 461 will provide an alternative recordkeeping provision. Contact: Neil Fujiwara at nfujiwara@aqmd.gov or (909) 396-3512

PAR 1157 – PM10 Emission Reductions from Aggregate and Related Operations
PAR 1157 will address community concerns and further reduce PM10 emissions by strengthening the existing requirements as well as expanding applicability to include demolition and construction transfer stations, and enhancing recordkeeping and housekeeping provisions. Contact: Neil Fujiwara at nfujiwara@aqmd.gov or (909) 396-3512;