BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 606 Page 1 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 AB 606 Page 2 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. AB 606 Page 3 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 AB 606 Page 4 Opposition None on file Analysis Prepared by:William Herms / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600