BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1928
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB
1928 (Campos)
As Introduced February 12, 2016
Majority vote
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|Committee |Votes|Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Water |11-1 |Levine, Dababneh, |Harper |
| | |Dodd, Gordon, | |
| | |Cristina Garcia, | |
| | |Gomez, Lopez, Medina, | |
| | |Olsen, Salas, | |
| | |Williams | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Appropriations |14-5 |Gonzalez, Bloom, |Bigelow, Gallagher, |
| | |Bonilla, Bonta, |Jones, Obernolte, |
| | |Calderon, Daly, |Wagner |
| | |Eggman, Eduardo | |
| | |Garcia, Roger | |
| | |Hernández, Holden, | |
| | |Quirk, Santiago, | |
| | |Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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AB 1928
Page 2
SUMMARY: Extends the date from January 1, 2010, to January 1,
2018, by which the California Energy Commission (CEC) is
required to adopt landscape irrigation equipment performance
standards and labeling requirements. Additionally, extends the
date from January 1, 2012, to January 1, 2020, when the sale of
landscape irrigation equipment that does not meet established
performance standards and labeling requirements would be banned.
Requires the CEC to consider recent advancements in landscape
irrigation efficiency when developing the standards and
requirements.
EXISITING LAW: Requires, to the extent funds are available, the
CEC in consultation with the Department of Water Resources (DWR)
to adopt regulations by January 1, 2010, on landscape irrigation
performance standards and labeling. Prohibits the sale of a
landscape irrigation controller or moisture sensor by January 1,
2012, unless performance standards and labeling requirements are
met.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, this bill increases staff costs of $100,000 and
contract costs of approximately $200,000 for the CEC to
establish performance standards and labeling requirements.
These funds could come from the General Fund or special funds.
As with the existing timelines of 2010 and 2012, the provisions
in this bill are required only to the extent funds are
available.
COMMENTS: To date, the CEC has not adopted regulations on
landscape irrigation performance standards or labeling
requirements because funds have not been made available. The
Governor's May budget revision, and the Assembly budget maintain
$30 million for the CEC to implement the Water and Energy
AB 1928
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Technology program. Funds in that program could be put toward
adopting regulations on landscape irrigation performance
standards and labeling.
According to the DWR, over 45% of residential water use takes
place outdoors, so having water efficient irrigation equipment
will translate into significant water savings. According to the
author, this bill will help California take the next and
long-overdue steps in recommitting ourselves to improving
outdoor water efficiency.
Executive Order B-29-15 from April of 2015 directed the CEC to
fund emerging water saving technologies, the State Water
Resources Control Board to impose a 25% reduction in urban water
use over 2013 levels, and the DWR to update the state model
water efficient landscape ordinance to specifically increase
water efficiency through more efficient irrigation standards.
Technology in landscape irrigation has advanced in recent years
with numerous new efficient irrigation controls and moisture
sensing devices coming to the market. The cost of water has
increased significantly in the past decade and is projected to
increase annually at a rate of 4% or higher. Consumers appear
to be responding to these conditions as it has been reported
that one of the largest areas of sales growth at home
improvement stores has been efficient landscape irrigation
equipment.
If funded, this bill will ensure efficiency standards and
labeling requirements are established to help the consumer
conserve water.
AB 1928
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Analysis Prepared by:
Ryan Ojakian / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096
FN: 0003210