BILL NUMBER: AB 2617	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 14, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 28, 2016

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 amended, 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 and in cooperation with the State Water
Resources Control Board and the Department of Water Resources, 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   produce net environmental benefits that
outweigh  any unintended adverse environmental impacts.
   25686.  As used in this chapter:
   (a) "Evapotranspiration" means a loss of water from the soil,
including losses resulting from evaporation and losses resulting from
transpiration from the plants growing on the soil.
   (b) "Highly efficient consumer appliances and landscape systems"
include, but are not limited to, irrigation systems, toilets,
showers, pool covers, and clothes washers.
   (c) "Public entity" has the same meaning as defined in Section 375
of the Water Code.
   (d) "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.
   (e) "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, and in cooperation with the State Water
Resources Control Board and the Department of Water Resources, 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 the consideration of
the impact of evapotranspiration rates in different hydrological
regions of the state. The water efficiency measures considered shall
include, but not be limited to, the following:
   (1) Turfgrass removal and replacement with either
drought-resistant turfgrass or artificial turf. 
   (2) Turfgrass removal and replacement with native or
drought-tolerant plants.  
   (2) 
    (   3)  The use of conservation-based
irrigation technology such as smart controllers. 
   (3) 
    (   4)  Investments in graywater infrastructure
to supply water to outdoor landscapes. 
   (4) 
    (   5)  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.