BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1297
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Date of Hearing: April 27, 2005
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Judy Chu, Chair
AB 1297 (Evans) - As Introduced: February 22, 2005
Policy Committee: Business and
Professions Vote: 7-3
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the California Building Rehabilitation
Advisory Council (Council), with specified representation, to
advise the California Building Standards Commission (Commission)
regarding possible development of a California building
rehabilitation guideline. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires that Council members be appointed by the executive
director of the Commission by March 31, 2006, and that the
Council make recommendations to the Commission's advisory
panels by June 30, 2007 on whether development of a building
rehabilitation guideline would improve the reuse and safety of
existing residential and nonresidential buildings and whether
the guideline should be adopted as a separate appendix to the
state Building Standards Code.
2)Requires the Commission to assist the Council in carrying out
its duties, to absorb related costs, and to seek in-kind
service assistance from private sector organizations
represented on the Council.
3)Requires the Commission's advisory panels to hold public
hearings on the Council's recommendations and to report to the
Commission by September 30, 2007 on whether or not the
Commission should adopt the building rehabilitation guideline.
AB 1297
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4)Requires the Commission, by March 31, 2008, to review the
reports and recommendations of the advisory panels and to
consider adoption of a building rehabilitation guideline, and
if it does adopt, to report to the Legislature within six
months on the contents and expected impact of the guideline.
The Council would sunset on January 1, 2009.
FISCAL EFFECT
Annual special fund costs, for three years, in the range of
$150,000 for one engineering position and one support position
for the Commission to assist the Council. [Service Revolving
Fund]
(The Commission's budget for 2004-05 is $844,000, which supports
seven positions.)
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . According to the author, this bill will help prevent
urban sprawl, revitalize blighted urban communities, and
supply low-income housing. Currently, when a property owner or
developer substantially rehabilitates an existing building,
compliance with the building code can be difficult because
local governments often require that the building be brought
up to current code. The author asserts that this situation can
serve as a very expensive and powerful disincentive for those
who might otherwise undertake a building rehabilitation
project.
2)The Building Standards Commission , within the State and
Consumer Services Agency, reviews and approves building
standards proposed and adopted by state agencies. The
Commission publishes the California Building Standards Code in
order to ensure consistency in nomenclature and format and to
eliminate duplication in standards. The Commission may
appoint, and currently convenes, five advisory panels relating
to: a) plumbing, electrical, mechanical and energy systems; b)
building, fire and other; c) structural design/lateral forces;
d) accessibility; and, e) health facilities.
AB 1297
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3)Prior Legislation . AB 2259 (Wiggins) of 2000, which was almost
identical to AB 1297, was vetoed by Governor Davis, who argued
that specific law was not needed to create an advisory council
if the Commission deems one to be necessary.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081