BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER
Senator Fran Pavley, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 1928 Hearing Date: June 28,
2016
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|Author: |Campos | | |
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|Version: |February 12, 2016 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Dennis O'Connor |
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Subject: Water efficiency: landscape irrigation equipment
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
In 2006, the legislature passed and the governor signed AB 1881
(Laird). That bill, among other things, directed the California
Energy Commission (CEC), in consultation with the Department of
Water Resources (DWR) to adopt performance standards and
labeling requirements for landscape irrigation equipment,
including, but not limited to, irrigation controllers, moisture
sensors, emission devices, and valves, for the purpose of
reducing the wasteful, uneconomic, inefficient, or unnecessary
consumption of energy or water.
The CEC was further required to:
Adopt the performance standards and labeling requirements by
January 1, 2010.
Consider the Irrigation Association's Smart Water Application
Technology Program testing protocols when adopting performance
standards for landscape irrigation equipment.
The bill further established that on and after January 1, 2012,
no irrigation controller or moisture sensor for landscape
irrigation uses could be sold or installed in the state unless
the controller or sensor meets the performance standards and
labeling requirements established by the CEC.
All these requirements were contingent upon funds availability.
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Funds were not made available for these purposes and so the CEC
has not established performance standards for landscape
irrigation equipment.
PROPOSED LAW
This bill would revise the due dates for the CEC to develop and
adopt performance standards and labeling requirements for
landscape irrigation equipment. Specifically, this bill would:
Require the CEC to adopt performance standards and labeling
requirements for landscape irrigation controllers and moisture
sensors on or before January 1, 2018.
Require the CEC, in adopting the performance standards and
labeling requirements, to take in consideration of
developments in landscape irrigation efficiency occurring on
and after January 1, 2010.
Ban, on and after January 1, 2020, the sale or installation of
an irrigation controller or moisture sensor for landscape
irrigation uses unless the controller or sensor meets the
CEC's adopted performance standards and labeling requirements.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
According to the author, "As a state, we've become more water
conscious and have made huge strides with indoor conservation
efforts. However, fifty percent of residential water use takes
place outdoors; having water efficient gardens and landscapes
will translate into significant water savings. AB 1928 will
help California take the next and long-overdue steps in
recommitting ourselves to improving outdoor water efficiency."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: None received
COMMENTS
Question of Funding. It has been 10 years since enactment of AB
1881. With luck funding will be provided this time around.
Related Bills.
AB 2515 (Webber) - would require DWR, by January 1, 2020, and at
least every three years thereafter, to either update the model
water-efficient landscape ordinance or make a finding that an
update to the model water-efficient landscape ordinance at that
time is not a useful or effective means to improve either the
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efficiency of landscape water use or the administration of the
ordinance.
SB 1340 (Wolk) - would add to the model water efficient
landscape ordinance a permit requirement for the installation or
replacement of specified automatic irrigation systems, or the
expansion of the same specified automatic irrigation systems to
increase the irrigated area by 25% or more, for a landscape
project on or after July 1, 2018.
SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS: None
SUPPORT
Santa Clara Valley Water District (sponsor)
American Water Works Association, California-Nevada Section
Association of California Water Agencies
California Landscape Contractors Association
California Municipal Utilities Association
California Special Districts Association
California Water Association
Campbell Chamber of Commerce
City of Campbell
City of Morgan Hill
City of San Jose
City of Saratoga
City of Sunnyvale
Cupertino Chamber of Commerce
Cupertino City Council
East Bay Municipal Utility District
Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
Los Altos Hills City Council
Milpitas Chamber of Commerce
San Diego County Water Authority
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Santa Clara County Farm Bureau
OPPOSITION
None Received
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