BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1928 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 1928 (Campos) As Introduced February 12, 2016 Majority vote ------------------------------------------------------------------ |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 | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Page 3 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 Page 4 Analysis Prepared by: Ryan Ojakian / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0003210