BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 127 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 15, 2013 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 127 (Skinner) - As Amended: April 22, 2013 Policy Committee: Natural ResourcesVote:6-3 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill requires the State Fire Marshal (SFM) in consultation with the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishing, and Thermal Insulation (Bureau) to propose building standards to the Building Standards Commission relating to the use of chemical flame retardants. Specifically, this bill: 1)Requires the SFM by January 1, 2015 to propose updated flammability standards for adoption by the BSC that maintain building safety standards and give full consideration to the long-term health and environmental effects of chemical flame retardants. 2)Requires the proposed building standards to ensure there is adequate protection from fires that travel between walls and into confined areas, crawl spaces, and attics. 3)States numerous findings and declarations relating to the environmental and health impacts of chemical flame retardants and the merits of reducing flame retardant use in building insulation. FISCAL EFFECT 1)Increased special fund costs to the SFM to propose building standards in the range of $100,000 to $200,000. 2)Unknown, likely minor costs to the Bureau for consultation. 3)Minor, absorbable costs for the Building Standards Commission. AB 127 Page 2 COMMENTS 1)Rationale. According to supporters, a significant number of peer-reviewed studies have linked chemical flame retardants (generally halogenated organic compounds with chlorine or bromine bonded to carbon) to numerous public health problems, including cancer, neurological and reproductive impairments, infertility, reduced IQ, hormone and thyroid disruption, hearing deficits, and learning disorders. Scientific evidence has documented that many halogenated fire retardants are persistent, accumulate up the food chain, and are now found at increasing levels in people, wildlife, and our food supply. This bill is intended to update the state's building standards relating to fire safety to reduce the need for chemical flame retardants in building insulation without compromising safety. 2)Opposition. The California Conference of Carpenters and others are concerned that the bill is premature and may lead to the banning of substances prior to conclusive scientific evidence. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081