BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Isadore Hall, III
Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: SB 553 Hearing Date: 4/28/2015
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|Author: |Wolk |
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|Version: |2/26/2015 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Felipe Lopez |
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SUBJECT: Water conservation
DIGEST: This bill requires the Department of General Services
(DGS) to identify each public property in the department's state
property inventory where it is feasible for water consumption to
be reduced and water efficiencies to be achieved through
implementation of the relevant recommendations made in the model
water efficient landscape ordinance and would require DGS to
implement relevant recommendations where feasible, except as
specified.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1)Requires DGS to provide planning, acquisition, construction,
and maintenance of state buildings and property.
2)Requires DGS, in consultation with the State Energy Resources
Conservation and Development Commission, and with the
concurrence of the Department of Finance, to identify each
public building in the DGS's state property inventory where it
is feasible for that building to reduce energy consumption and
achieve energy efficiencies, as specified, and to retrofit
those buildings, as specified.
3)Requires, under the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act, for
the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to the extent funds
SB 553 (Wolk) Page 2 of ?
are appropriated, no later than January 1, 2009, to update a
model water efficient landscape ordinance to meet specified
requirements.
4)Requires, under the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act, for
a local agency, no later than January 1, 2010, to adopt the
updated model ordinance or other water efficient landscape
ordinance that is at least as effective in conserving water as
the updated model ordinance.
This bill:
1)Requires DGS to identify each public property in the
department's state property inventory where it is feasible for
water consumption to be reduced and water efficiencies to be
achieved through implementation of the relevant
recommendations made in the model water efficient landscape
ordinance adopted by the DWR. These recommendations shall
include, but not be limited to, recommendations regarding the
replacement of landscaping with drought tolerant plants.
2)Requires DGS to implement the relevant recommendations for
each public property identified to reduce overall water
consumption where feasible, except that work on public
property of the California State University (CSU) shall be
subject to the consent of the CSU.
3)Defines "feasible" to mean capable of being accomplished in a
successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking
into account life-cycle cost analyses, and environmental,
social, and technological factors.
Background
Purpose of the bill: According to the author, in order to
weather California's frequent and increasingly severe droughts,
all water use should be efficient. The DWR has developed a
model landscape ordinance that local water agencies and local
governments have implemented to varying degrees.
The author further argues that DGS should achieve efficient
outdoor landscaping for state owned properties, and that the
landscaping should be at least as efficient as required by the
DWR developed model landscape ordinance.
SB 553 (Wolk) Page 3 of ?
Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO): The MWELO
was updated by the DWR in 2010 with the aim to promote water
conservation, prevent water waste and protect water quality. It
includes provisions for water conservation and the appropriate
use of plants that are well adapted to particular environments
including climate, soil, or topographic conditions. The MWELO
establishes the maximum amount of water used by the irrigation
system, based on climate, landscape, size, irrigation
efficiency, and plant needs. The model includes provisions for
the use of automatic irrigation systems and irrigation schedules
based on climatic conditions, specific terrains and soil types,
and other environmental conditions as well as references to
local, state, and federal regulations regarding standards for
water conserving irrigation equipment.
Statewide Property Inventory: According to DGS' Internet Web
site, the State of California currently owns 2,905 real estate
properties throughout the state. This translates to 6,948,913
square feet. In addition, the state currently leases a total of
2,290 properties which total 16,013,179 square feet of leased
office space.
In Sacramento County alone the state has a total of 382 leases
totaling a total of 7,341,462 square feet of leased office
space.
Prior/Related Legislation
AB 566 (Plescia), Chapter 319, Statutes of 2007. The bill
required the DWR to develop a standard data protocol for the
transmission of evapotranspiration data and continue operating
the California Irrigation Management Information System.
AB 1881 (Laird), Chapter 559, Statutes of 2006. The bill
reauthorized the DWR to prepare a new and undated model local
water efficient landscape ordinance for adoption by local
governments.
AB 325 (Clute), Chapter 1125, Statutes of 1990. The bill
required the DWR to convene an advisory task force to develop
and adopt a Model Ordinance by January 1, 1992.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.: Yes Local: No
SB 553 (Wolk) Page 4 of ?
SUPPORT:
Association of California Water Agencies
California Municipal Utilities Association
San Diego Water Authority
Sierra Club of California
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
OPPOSITION:
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The San Diego County Water Authority
writes in support of the bill stating that given that landscape
irrigation represents approximately 43 percent of urban water
use, according to the DWR, and that California is prone to
cycles of drought and water shortage, such as the prolonged
multi-year drought the state is presently experiencing, SB 553
would ensure the state takes an important leadership role in
implementing water efficient landscape practices.
The California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) argues
that as California enters the fourth year of an unprecedented
drought, it is critical that stakeholders, including the state,
maximize all water conservation opportunities. CMUA further
argues that DGS can take a leadership role in water saving
activities outlined in the bill, such as the implementation of
water efficient landscape practices in DGS' state property
inventory.