BILL ANALYSIS
AB 828
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Date of Hearing: April 27, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Nancy Skinner, Chair
AB 828 (Lieu) - As Amended: April 21, 2009
SUBJECT : Green building standards
SUMMARY : Establishes a definition of green building standard
for purposes of the California Building Code (Title 24).
EXISTING LAW :
1)Authorizes the Building Standards Commission (BSC) to adopt
green building standards where no other state agency has the
authority or expertise to do so.
2)Requires BSC to consult with specified entities when
developing green building standards, including the California
Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the California
Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), the State Air
Resources Board (ARB), the Department of Toxic Substances
Control, the Department of Public Health (DPH), and the
Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
3)Authorizes a city or county to make changes or modifications
to the requirements contained in the provisions published by
BSC for approval and adoption.
THIS BILL :
1)Specifies that green building standards adopted by BSC protect
public health and safety, minimize the building's impact on
the environment through efficient use of natural resources,
improve occupant health, and reduce strain on local
infrastructure while using best available technology and
business practices. The standards include site planning,
water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resource
efficiency, reduction of toxic chemicals, indoor air quality,
and environmental quality.
2)Adds the Department of General Services and the State Fire
Marshall to the list of state entities consulted by BSC when
developing standards.
AB 828
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3) Authorizes the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop,
adopt and submit voluntary energy efficiency standards that
exceed green building standards adopted by BSC.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
1)Background
The BSC is responsible for adopting Title 24 (latest edition,
2007) every three years, and its supplements, such as the
California Green Building Standards Code (latest edition, 2008)
in intervening years. The building regulations take effect 180
days after their publication unless otherwise stipulated and
applies to all buildings in the state. The California Green
Building Standards Code, adopted in July 2008, was developed by
BSC in collaboration with the Department of Housing and
Community Development, the Division of the State Architect, the
State Fire Marshal, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and
Development, and CEC. BSC indicates that it currently works
with CalEPA, CIWMB, ARB, Caltrans, and DPH in the development of
green building standards.
2)This bill
According to the author's office, "BSC is currently developing
green building standards for inclusion in the California
building codes. Although the BSC has made laudable effort in
developing an initial set of voluntary green building standards,
clarity and authority are required to ensure that the many other
expert state agencies are involved; especially as the standards
become mandatory. Agencies such as the Department of Toxic
Substances Control, California's Environmental Protection Agency
and Department of Health Services have experience in green
building concepts and their input is essential in the
development of green building standards."
3)Double referral
This bill was heard in the Assembly Committee on Business and
Professions on April 14th, where it passed with a vote of 7-3.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
AB 828
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Support
American Lung Association
Environment California
Environmental Defense Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Sierra Club California
StopWaste.org
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Elizabeth MacMillan / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092