BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: AB 812 SENATOR MARK DESAULNIER, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: Ma VERSION: 1/12/12 Analysis by: Art Bauer FISCAL: yes Hearing date: June 12, 2012 SUBJECT: Reclaimed asphalt pavement DESCRIPTION: This bill authorizes the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to establish specifications for the use of up to 40 percent reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) for hot asphalt mixes on or before January 1, 2014. ANALYSIS: Existing law: 1. Requires Caltrans to use recycled materials unless it determines that the use of these materials is not cost effective. 2. Defines "recycled materials" to include, but not limited to, glass, glassy aggregates, and paving materials utilizing crumb rubber from automobile tires. 3. Requires state agencies to make maximum use of recycled products. This bill : 1. Authorizes Caltrans to establish specifications where RAP may constitute up to 40 percent of hot asphalt mixes on or before January 1, 2014. 2. Requires Caltrans to report to the Legislature regarding the progress toward developing and implementing the specification on or before March 1, 2016. COMMENTS: AB 812 (MA) Page 2 1.Purpose . The purpose of this bill is to encourage increased use of recycled materials, thereby enhancing the conservation of natural resources. The author argues that the "Re- use of asphalt rubble conserves natural aggregate resources and reduces transport distances, particularly if done on a construction site. In addition, re-use of asphalt rubble in surface pavement allows re-use of the oil content." 2.Background . RAP is created when asphalt pavements are crushed, screened, and recoated with a binder before being re-applied as pavement. In discussions on this bill last year, Caltrans committed to the author to "fast track" completion of a specification allowing for the use of up to 25 percent RAP for surface paving projects following the June 2011 release of a study by the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona , demonstrating the utility of this blend of RAP. The study was favorable, and Caltrans developed the draft specification in October 2011. It is now in use. Recycled RAP is already in widespread use by asphalt producers and contractors throughout California on projects that are not on the state highway system. The industry believes the use of RAP does not compromise the quality of the projects. More than a half dozen other states have specifications that allow up to 100 percent RAP. 3.What does this bill do ? Caltrans will embark on testing RAP specifications in the coming year in anticipation of allowing the percentage of RAP to be up to 40 percent of the mix by January 1, 2014. The actual percentage of RAP used on a project varies based on local conditions, including the availability of RAP. This bill simply codifies Caltrans' efforts in this regard. The bill also requires Caltrans to report to the Legislature on its progress toward the development of the specification no later than March 1, 2016. 4.Double-referral . The Rules Committee referred this bill to both the Transportation and Housing Committee and to the Environmental Quality Committee. Therefore, if this bill passes this committee, it will be referred to the Committee on Environmental Quality. Assembly Votes: Floor: 70-2 Appr: 17-0 Trans: 14-0 AB 812 (MA) Page 3 POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday, June 6, 2012) SUPPORT: Associated General Contractors California Asphalt Pavement Association California Construction and Industrial Materials Association (sponsor) California Construction Trucking Association California Rock Crusher Corp. CalPortland Construction Holliday Companies Lehigh Hanson, Inc. Los Angeles County Solid Waste Management Committee/Integrated Waste Management Task Force Minerals Technologies Specialty Materials, Inc. Teichert Rock Products United Contractors Vulcan Materials Company OPPOSED: None received.