Committee moves bill to lock in refinery worker safety rules after 2012 incidents

Lawmakers advanced SB 966 from the Labor and Employment subcommittee after testimony focused on preserving refinery worker process‑safety protections adopted in 2017. The sponsor said the measure "makes that right permanent by codifying the existing worker representation and participation standards" after recounting hazards at refineries and urging protections to avoid regulatory rollback.

United Steelworkers and a former refinery employee described the 2012 Chevron Refinery incident in Richmond, where thousands sought medical care, and said investigations showed preventable hazards. A witness representing United Steelworkers told the committee the 2017 rules remain an important safeguard and asked for an 'I' vote. A former Phillips 66 employee testified she had 20 years of frontline experience and urged protections that keep employee voices in safety decisions.

Industry groups, including the Western States Petroleum Association, urged caution. Zach Leary said aspects of the 2017 rules were litigated and that the measure may raise federal preemption questions under the National Labor Relations Act, potentially reopening the same litigation.

The sponsor closed by saying federal preemption remains an open legal question and asked for the committee's support. The committee passed SB 966 and referred it to the Appropriations Committee.