BILL NUMBER: AB 2617	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Mayes

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2016

   An act to add Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 25685) to
Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, relating to water.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2617, as introduced, Mayes. Water efficiency measures.
   The California Constitution requires that the water resources of
the state be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which
they are capable and that the waste or unreasonable use or
unreasonable method of use of water be prevented. Existing law
requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development
Commission (Energy Commission), on a biennial basis, to conduct
assessments and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry supply,
production, transportation, delivery, and distribution. Existing law
requires the Energy Commission, beginning November 1, 2003, and
biennially thereafter, to adopt an integrated energy policy report
containing an overview of major energy trends and issues facing the
state.
   This bill would require the Energy Commission to develop and
solicit comments on a proposed report, in consultation with certain
subject matter experts, by December 1, 2017, and, by July 1, 2018, to
issue a final report that contains, among other things, the
projected benefits of recommended voluntary water efficiency measures
and an analysis of any unintended adverse environmental impacts that
would result from various water efficiency measures.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 25685) is added to
Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 7.8.  COST-EFFECTIVE WATER EFFICIENCY MEASURES


   25685.  It is the intent of the Legislature that the state
identify and recommend the most cost-effective water efficiency
measures that achieve the greatest reduction in water use and avoid
any unintended adverse environmental impacts.
   25686.  As used in this chapter:
   (a) "Highly efficient consumer appliances and landscape systems"
includes, but is not limited to, irrigation systems, toilets,
showers, and clothes washers.
   (b) "Public entity" has the same meaning as defined in Section 375
of the Water Code.
   (c) "Turfgrass" means any living grass that is used in fields or
yards at a residential or commercial property, private park, athletic
field, or public school.
   (d) "Unintended adverse environmental impacts" include, but are
not limited to, impacts on climate change, net effect on carbon
sequestration, increased erosion, and impacts to stormwater runoff.
   25687.  By December 1, 2017, the commission, in consultation with
persons that include, but are not limited to, subject matter experts
at the University of California, the California State University, and
local water districts, shall develop and solicit comments on a
proposed report that contains all of the following:
   (a) An analysis of the relative costs and benefits of incentives
for various water efficiency measures, including, but not limited to,
turfgrass removal and replacement with either drought-resistant
turfgrass or artificial turf, investments in graywater infrastructure
to supply water to outdoor landscapes, and rebates for highly
efficient consumer appliances and landscape systems.
   (b) An analysis of any unintended adverse environmental impacts
that would result from the water efficiency measures considered
pursuant to subdivision (a).
   (c) The projected benefits of recommended voluntary water
efficiency measures.
   25688.  By July 1, 2018, the commission shall issue a final report
that contains all of the following:
   (a) An identification of the most cost-effective incentives for
water efficiency measures in terms of water use reduction per dollar
spent.
   (b) Recommendations to public entities to help them prioritize the
most cost-effective solutions for granting incentives or rebates for
water efficiency measures.
   (c) An analysis of any unintended adverse environmental impacts
that would result from the water efficiency measures considered
pursuant to subdivision (a).
   (d) The projected benefits of recommended voluntary water
efficiency measures.