BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  AB 341
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 24, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                    AB 341 (Dickinson) - As Amended:  May 8, 2013 

          Policy Committee:                              Natural  
          ResourcesVote:7-1

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              

           SUMMARY  

          This bill authorizes the Building Standards Commission (BSC) to  
          integrate the existing Green Building Code (CalGreen) in the  
          appropriate sections of the California Building Code.   
          Specifically, this bill:

          1)Provides a process for BSC and other state agencies to propose  
            green building standards and allow input by other state  
            agencies with expertise in green building subject areas.

          2)Provides a process by which state agencies will indicate if  
            proposed green building standards should be considered for  
            adoption as mandatory or voluntary.

          3)Authorizes expenditure of the Building Standards  
            Administrative Revolving Fund, upon appropriation by the  
            Legislature, for analyzing and verifying current green  
            building standards.  

          4)Authorizes the expenditure from the Building Standards  
            Administrative Revolving Fund, upon appropriation by the  
            Legislature, for training and assisting local governments with  
            adopted green building standards as specified.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Increased costs to the BSC of less than $100,000 (special fund)  
          to include green building standards in the next revision, and to  
          review other state agency activity and provide additional  
          education and training.









                                                                  AB 341
                                                                  Page  2

           COMMENTS  

           1)Purpose.   According to the author, the adoption of CalGreen as  
            a separate part within Title 24 has caused some confusion and  
            challenges for architects, designers, builders, and local  
            building departments.  Particular trades and inspectors may  
            only review the part of Title 24 relevant to their trade and  
            may be unaware of other portions of the Code.  This bill is  
            intended to provide a uniform building code that is integrated  
            with green building standards.

           2)Background.   BSC and the Department of Housing and Community  
            Development (HCD) publish CalGreen guides (Title 24 part 11)  
            to help local officials and the building industry comply with  
            green standards.  In addition to mandatory standards, CalGreen  
            also includes voluntary above-minimum green practices.   The  
            next update of the tile 24 building standards is scheduled for  
            2016.

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081