BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 606
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Date of Hearing: April 29, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Rudy Salas, Chair
AB 606
(Levine) - As Amended April 13, 2015
SUBJECT: Water conservation
SUMMARY: Requires the Department of General Services (DGS) to
reduce water consumption and increase water efficiencies when
repairing, replacing or installing landscaping or irrigation on
state properties. Specifically, this bill requires DGS, when
feasible, to:
1)Replace landscaping with drought-tolerant plants.
2)Replace irrigation timers to permit efficient watering
schedules.
3)Replace spray sprinkler heads with bubblers, drip irrigation,
and soaker hoses.
4)Implement the use of recycled water irrigation.
EXISTING LAW establishes the Water Conservation in Landscaping
Act which provides, but is not limited to, guidance for local
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entities to adopt water model plans to achieve water
conservation goals.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: According to the author's office, this bill seeks to
direct the state in a proactive manner to conserve water on
state-owned lands through drought-tolerant landscaping and
replacement of irrigation timers, spray sprinkler heads and the
use of recycled water. This bill seeks to reduce water
consumption by requiring state properties to implement
drought-tolerant landscaping, with an emphasis on native plant
species, and to apply the use of recycled water irrigation
wherever feasible.
Recent amendments add "implementation of recycled water
irrigation" to the list of project types that DGS should
consider. Supporters note that adding recycled water is "a cost
effective, sustainable and drought-proof source of water and,
whenever possible, the state should encourage the use of
recycled water in place of potable water."
This bill was brought to the author's office by Ms. Honda's
fourth grade class at Manor Elementary in Fairfax, California.
These students are pursuing legislative action in order to do
their part in addressing our state's very serious drought
through water conservation. Ms. Honda's fourth grade class
stands as the sponsor of the bill.
Currently, DGS is employing all of the strategies listed in the
bill to achieve statewide water conservation goals. However, no
specific statutory language mandates these specific strategies.
This bill will contribute to the larger statewide water
conservation efforts currently underway.
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REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Ms. Honda's fourth grade class, Manor Elementary, Fairfax, CA
(Sponsor)
Association of California Water Agencies
California Municipal Utilities Association
California Native Plant Society
Irvine Ranch Water District
San Diego County Water Authority
Sonoma County Water Agency
WateReuse California
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Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:William Herms / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600