BILL ANALYSIS �
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 296
Author: Skinner (D)
Amended: 8/22/12 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 6-3, 6/28/11
AYES: DeSaulnier, Kehoe, Lowenthal, Pavley, Rubio,
Simitian
NOES: Gaines, Harman, Huff
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 5-2, 8/16/12
AYES: Kehoe, Alquist, Lieu, Price, Steinberg
NOES: Walters, Dutton
SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE : 5-1, 8/27/12
(pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10)
AYES: Simitian, Hancock, Kehoe, Lowenthal, Pavley
NOES: Blakeslee
NO VOTE RECORDED: Strickland
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 54-21, 6/1/11 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT : Cool pavement
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill states the intent of the Legislature
that the California Environmental Protection Agency
(Cal-EPA) develop a standard definition of the term urban
heat island effect, and upon completion of a definition the
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) develop a standard
specification for sustainable or cool pavements that can be
used to reduce the urban heat island effect index (UHIEI).
This bill requires the California Building Standards
Commission (CBSC), in the next triennial adoption process
for the code adopted after the development of a standard
specification by Caltrans, consider incorporating that
specification as an additional strategy for Heat Island
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Effect: Hardscape Alternatives in the California Green
Building Standards Code.
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/22/12 (1) strike a requirement
for Caltrans to develop cool pavement standards by January
1, 2015; (2) require the CBSC to consider incorporating
specifications in the Cool Pavements Handbook after
development of a standard specification by Caltrans; (3)
contain legislative intent relating to development of heat
reduction strategies and a definition for an UHIEI by the
Cal-EPA; and (4) require Caltrans, upon completion of a
definition of an UHIEI by Cal-EPA, to develop a standard
specification for sustainable or cool pavements that can be
used to reduce the UHIEI.
ANALYSIS : The term "cool pavements" typically refers to
paving materials that enhance reflectivity, enhance water
absorption, or have been otherwise modified to remain
cooler than conventional materials. At the present time,
there is no official standard to designate cool paving
materials or to evaluate which materials perform best under
given circumstances.
Existing law requires the Caltrans to adopt a balanced,
multimodal research and development program that includes
research and development of new transportation-related
technologies.
Existing law also establishes the CBSC and the process for
adopting state building standards. Under this process,
relevant state agencies propose amendments to model
building codes, which the CBSC must then adopt, modify, or
reject. Existing law requires CBSC to publish the
California Building Code in its entirety once every three
years. In January 2010, the CBSC adopted the 2010
California Green Building Standards Code, known as the
CALGreen Code, which mandates a number of green building
features. While building standards generally concern
themselves with structures themselves rather than outdoor
elements, the CALGreen Code also includes a voluntary cool
pavements provision to encourage the use of alternative
hardscape (i.e., improved walking and driving surfaces)
materials, such as light-colored or open-grid materials or
shade, around non-residential structures.
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This bill:
1. States the intent of the Legislature that the Cal-EPA
develop a standard definition of the term "urban heat
island effect."
2. States the intent of the Legislature and that all of the
following occur:
A. Cal-EPA shall work with its partners on the
Climate Action Team to develop heat reduction
strategies that include urban forestry, cool roofs,
and sustainable or cool pavements.
B. Cal-EPA shall develop a definition for the urban
heat island effect. The definition shall include the
extent and severity of an UHIEI for California cities
such that the cities can have a quantifiable goal for
heat reduction.
C. In support of this effort, Caltrans shall work
with Cal-EPA and other stakeholders on sustainable or
cool pavement technologies and research.
3. Requires, upon completion of a definition for an UHIEI,
Caltrans develop a standard specification for
sustainable or cool pavements that can be used to reduce
the UHIEI.
4. Requires the CBSC, in the next triennial adoption
process for the code adopted after the development of a
standard specification by the Caltrans, consider
incorporating that specification as an additional
strategy for Heat Island Effect: Hardscape Alternatives
in the California Green Building Standards Code.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 8/20/12)
American Lung Association in California
Breathe California
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California Building Officials
California Coastkeeper Alliance
California Municipal Utilities Association
California Nevada Cement Association
CalPortland Company
Contra Costa County
East Bay Municipal Utility District
Emerald Cities Cool Pavement
Natural Resources Defense Council
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Sacramento Tree Foundation
Sierra Club California
Soil Stabilization Company
Union of Concerned Scientists
U.S. Green Building Council, California Advocacy Committee
OPPOSITION : (Verified 8/20/12)
California Asphalt Pavement Association (previous version)
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
impervious pavements, which generally represent the largest
percentage of land cover in an urbanized area, increase
temperatures in urbanized areas by absorbing, storing, and
later radiating heat energy from the sun. These elevated
temperatures increase smog formation, which negatively
affects human health, and energy consumption, which
increases power plant emissions. In addition, impervious
pavements increase water run-off, which contributes to
water pollution.
By reflecting the sun's rays or allowing for water
absorption, cool pavement alternatives minimize these
impacts. In addition, cool pavements can last 10 to 100
times longer than traditional pavements, thus reducing
replacement costs. This bill seeks to encourage the use of
cool pavements, including pervious pavements, by requiring
Caltrans to publish a handbook on the subject and to study
and evaluate the use of cool pavements in a pilot project.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 54-21, 6/1/11
AYES: Alejo, Allen, Ammiano, Atkins, Beall, Block,
Blumenfield, Bonilla, Bradford, Brownley, Buchanan,
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Butler, Charles Calderon, Campos, Carter, Cedillo,
Chesbro, Cook, Davis, Dickinson, Eng, Feuer, Fletcher,
Fong, Fuentes, Furutani, Gatto, Gordon, Hall, Hayashi,
Roger Hern�ndez, Hill, Huber, Hueso, Huffman, Knight,
Lara, Bonnie Lowenthal, Ma, Mendoza, Mitchell, Monning,
Nestande, Pan, Perea, Portantino, Skinner, Solorio,
Swanson, Torres, Wieckowski, Williams, Yamada, John A.
P�rez
NOES: Achadjian, Bill Berryhill, Conway, Donnelly, Beth
Gaines, Grove, Hagman, Halderman, Harkey, Jones, Logue,
Mansoor, Miller, Morrell, Nielsen, Norby, Olsen, Silva,
Smyth, Valadao, Wagner
NO VOTE RECORDED: Galgiani, Garrick, Gorell, Jeffries, V.
Manuel P�rez
JJA:d1 8/29/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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