BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 56
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 56 (Weber)
As Amended May 24, 2013
Majority vote
EDUCATION 6-0 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Buchanan, Campos, Ch�vez, |Ayes:|Gatto, Harkey, Bigelow, |
| |Nazarian, Weber, Williams | |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian |
| | | |Calderon, Campos, |
| | | |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, |
| | | |Hall, Ammiano, Linder, |
| | | |Pan, Quirk, Wagner, Weber |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the installation of a carbon monoxide device
in any private or public kindergarten through grade 12 school
building with a fossil fuel burning furnace located inside the
school building, built on or after January 1, 2014.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Specifies that "fossil fuel" has the same meaning as defined
in Section 13262 of the Health and Safety Code.
2)Requires the carbon monoxide device to be installed in close
proximity to each furnace located within the public or private
school building so that the device can accurately detect the
leakage of carbon monoxide.
3)Encourages a private or public school used for educational
purposes for kindergarten through grade 12 that has a furnace
located inside the school building, and that was built prior
to January 1, 2014, to have a carbon monoxide device installed
in the building.
4)Authorizes the Office of Public School Construction to adopt
rules and regulations deemed necessary to implement this bill.
5)Makes a number of findings and declarations regarding the
dangers of carbon monoxide and the importance of carbon
monoxide detectors, including the following:
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a) The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) estimate that each year more than 400 American die,
more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than
4,000 are hospitalized from unintentional carbon monoxide
poisoning.
b) The State Air Resources Board estimates that every year
carbon monoxide accounts for between 30 to 40 avoidable
deaths, possibly thousands of avoidable illnesses, and
between 175 and 700 avoidable emergency room and hospital
visits.
c) Carbon monoxide devices provide a vital, highly
effective and low-cost protection against carbon monoxide
poisoning and these devices should be made available to
every school in California.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, school and local school construction bond cost
pressure, likely in the range of $50,000 per year ($500,000 over
a 10-year period), to install a carbon monoxide device in a
public school built after January 1, 2014. There are
approximately 10,000 public school buildings in the state and
approximately 50% are at least 50 years old. General Fund
administrative costs to the Office of Public School
Construction, likely between $100,000 and $150,000, to conduct a
regulatory process as specified in this measure.
COMMENTS : Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can
cause illness and fatality. It is produced when burning
gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil and wood and is commonly
referred to as a "silent killer." A leak can result from a
number of sources, including any malfunctioning fuel-burning
appliance such as a furnace or a water heater, or from cars left
running in an enclosed area, such as an attached garage.
According to the CDC, exposure to carbon monoxide can cause loss
of consciousness and even death. The most common symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness,
nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. The CDC reports
that over 400 people die every year due to accidental carbon
monoxide poisoning.
California requires homeowners to have a carbon monoxide device
that is approved by the State Fire Marshal installed in dwelling
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units with a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace,
or an attached garage. Hotels and motels are required to have
the devices by January 1, 2016, after the Department of Housing
and Community Development develops standards for installation of
the devices. According to the National Conference of State
Legislatures, 25 states have laws that require carbon monoxide
detectors in residential buildings. One state requires
detectors in certain day-care centers, group day-care home, and
family homes, while only two states, Connecticut and Maryland,
require installation of carbon monoxide detectors in schools.
This bill requires any private and public school building used
for educational purposes built on or after January 1, 2014, to
have an approved carbon monoxide device installed if that
building has a fossil fuel burning furnace located inside.
Public and private school buildings built prior to January 1,
2014, are encouraged to install a carbon monoxide device. The
bill further requires the device to be installed in close
proximity to each furnace so that the device can accurately
detect a carbon monoxide leak.
The author states that carbon monoxide "alarms cost between $20
to $50 at retail stores. These devices provide a vital, highly
effective, and low-cost protection against carbon monoxide
poisoning and should be made available to every school in
California to prevent students from CO [carbon monoxide]
exposure."
According to the author's office, this bill was introduced
following reports of a carbon monoxide leak at Finch Elementary
School in Atlanta, Georgia on December 3, 2012. Forty-two
students and up to 10 adults were taken to the hospital.
Investigators believe a boiler might have been the cause of the
leak. A bill has since been introduced in Georgia requiring all
public and private elementary and secondary schools to have
carbon monoxide detectors and warning equipment by July 1, 2013.
The bill did not pass this legislative session but may continue
through the legislative process next January.
Analysis Prepared by : Sophia Kwong Kim / ED. / (916) 319-2087
AB 56
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