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 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Author: |Campos | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Version: |February 12, 2016 | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Consultant:|Dennis O'Connor | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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. AB 1928 (Campos) Page 2 of ? 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 AB 1928 (Campos) Page 3 of ? 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 -- END -- AB 1928 (Campos) Page 4 of ?