In 1984, the State of California adopted two laws aimed at regulating underground storage of hazardous substances to protect public health and scarce groundwater resources: Assembly Bill (AB) 1362 or the Sher Bill and AB 2013 or Cortese Bill. The Cortese Bill requires registration of underground storage facilities by July 1, 1984, including pits, ponds, sumps, and lagoons if below ground surface. AB 1362 creates a regulatory program for existing underground tanks to have permits and adequate leak detection systems to operate and performance standards for new tanks.