BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 275
Page 1
GOVERNOR'S VETO
AB 275 (Solorio)
As Amended July 13, 2011
2/3 vote
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|ASSEMBLY: |75-0 |(May 2, 2011) |SENATE: |36-1 |(August 29, |
| | | | | |2011) |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|ASSEMBLY: |76-0 |(August 31, | | | |
| | |2011) | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Original Committee Reference: B.,P. & C.P.
SUMMARY : Authorizes licensed landscape contractors (LCs) to
construct a rainwater capture system (RCS), as specified.
The Senate amendments :
1)Add to the list of conditions in which an indoor non-potable
RCS may be used, instances when:
a) The local agency with jurisdiction over the enforcement
of building standards issuing a permit for the RCS consults
with the local department of public health regarding public
health impacts before the RCS is installed;
b) The rainwater is used for non-potable uses, including
toilets, urinals, clothes washing machines, or heating,
ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; and,
c) The applicable local permitting authority has issued a
permit for the system before January 1, 2017.
2)Require a local agency adopting a permitting program for RCSs
connected to a public water system to notify the operator of
the public water system of permit approvals.
AB 275
Page 2
3)Redefine "rain barrel system" to mean a type of RCS in
compliance with the Rainwater Catchment Design and
Installation Standards adopted by the American Rainwater
Catchment Systems Association as of January 1, 2011, does not
use electricity, and is not connected to a pressurized water
distribution system for distribution of potable water.
4)Delete the definition of "stormwater capture system."
5)Make technical and clarifying changes.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides for the licensing and regulation of contractors by
the Contractors' State License Board (CSLB).
2)Authorizes a LC working within the classification of his or
her license to enter into a prime contract for the
construction of:
a) A swimming pool, spa, or hot tub if subcontracted to a
swimming pool contractor; or,
b) An outdoor cooking center or an outdoor fireplace, if
the improvements are included within a residential
landscape project that the LC is supervising.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill authorized LCs to construct
a RCS, as specified
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the
Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "This bill seeks to resolve
ambiguities in the law that would help expand the capture and
use of rainwater for non-drinking purposes. Capturing and using
rainwater for non-potable purposes would reduce the demand on
the state's drinking water supply, while minimizing the amount
of polluted storm water reaching California's beaches. This
bill accomplishes this purpose by resolving legal ambiguities to
AB 275
Page 3
explicitly authorize installation and operation of RCSs in
California's developed communities."
This bill authorizes a licensed LC to enter into a prime
contract to construct a RCS for landscape irrigation and to
design and install all exterior components of a RCS as defined
in this bill, unless the LC holds additional specialty
contractor licenses or a general building contractor performs
the work for the scope of work required.
The author states that the intent of this bill is to allow
homeowners install, or hire a LC to install, RCSs to store
rainwater that has not yet collected urban pollutants for
non-potable purposes. The installation of RCSs promotes water
conservation and assists in stormwater management by reducing
the amount of water load that enters storm drains, thereby
saving consumers the cost of treating and transporting water
before it reaches the user.
This bill, as amended in the Senate, is consistent with Assembly
actions.
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE :
"This measure seeks to adopt an interim standard for rainwater
capture outside the established Building Standards Commission
process.
"Without some urgency or a more compelling reason, I think it is
better to stick with the process and follow existing California
law."
Analysis Prepared by : Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301
FN: 0002953
AB 275
Page 4