BILL ANALYSIS Ó
Bill No: AB
767
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Roderick D. Wright, Chair
2011-2012 Regular Session
Staff Analysis
AB 767 Author: John A. Perez
As Amended: May 27, 2011
Hearing Date: June 28, 2011
Consultant: Art Terzakis
SUBJECT
State Capitol Sustainability Task Force
DESCRIPTION
AB 767 creates the "State Capitol Sustainability Task
Force" consisting of 7-members (2 each appointed by the
Speaker of the Assembly, the Senate Committee on Rules, and
the Governor and one appointed by the Lieutenant Governor)
to develop and implement a sustainability initiative for
the State Capitol Building, the Legislative Office Building
and the State Capitol Park grounds. Specifically, this
measure requires the task force to coordinate activities
with state agencies and the private sector and to do the
following:
1. Join the California Climate Action Registry to
determine, track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Perform benchmarking and monitoring of building
operations (e.g., energy and water use).
3. Increase overall fuel economy and fuel diversity of
the vehicle fleet.
4. Improve waste diversion practices (including
e-waste recycling, composting and reuse of materials),
promote environmentally preferable purchasing and
integrate sustainable practices.
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5. Incorporate renewable energy and seek leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design or Energy Star rating.
6. Partner with utility companies, water districts,
labor organizations, environmental groups, government
entities and the private sector to develop green
demonstration projects at the State Capitol.
7. Finalize the Capitol Park Master Plan, including
improving bicycle access and establishing bicycle
paths.
8. Seek grant funding and other opportunities to
recognize the efforts of the initiative.
EXISTING LAW
Existing law authorizes the Department of General Services
(DGS) to repair and alter buildings within the Capitol
area. Existing law also establishes the Historic State
Capitol Commission and requires the Commission to prepare
and amend a comprehensive master plan for the restoration,
preservation, and maintenance of the historic State
Capitol.
BACKGROUND
According to the Capitol Museum, "the West's first great
architectural monument was the California State Capitol in
Sacramento." The California State Capitol Building was
completed in 1874 after 14 years of construction.
By mid-century the Legislature had outgrown the original
building; the East Annex was completed in 1952 to house the
Governor and the Lieutenant Governor and to provide
additional office space and committee rooms for the
Legislature. In 1972 a seismic study found that the
Capitol would not survive an earthquake, this finding and
the need to modernize the building resulted in the largest
restoration project ever undertaken in North America at
that time. In order to protect the historic nature of the
building, the Legislature established the Historic State
Capitol Commission in 1976 to advise the Legislature on any
changes made to the building. In January 1982, the six
year restoration project was completed.
In 2001, the State and Consumer Services Agency, DGS, and
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SMUD held the Greening of the State Capitol Project in
Sacramento. The Project identified numerous ways to
"green" the Capitol, including increasing energy
efficiency, instituting environmentally preferable
purchasing requirements, building commissioning, use of
electric vehicles, establishing on-site power generation,
installing water efficiency measures, and improving
recycling. The Project also completed a landscape
assessment, which identified irrigation problems and
methods to compost green waste and use the composted
material in Capitol Park. While some of these activities
have been undertaken, it is believed that many more
improvements could still be made to ameliorate the overall
environmental impact of the Capitol.
As stated in the findings and declarations contained in AB
767, "the State Capitol Building and grounds represent a
unique opportunity to demonstrate environmental leadership,
by showcasing sustainable practices and providing
environmental educational opportunities to nearly 800,000
annual visitors." According to the author's office, this
measure increases the opportunities for implementing more
sustainable practices by involving all the tenants in the
building. The author's office contends that potential
funding to implement AB 767 may be available through the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
PRIOR/RELATED LEGISLATION
AB 2670 (John A. Perez) 2010-11 Session. Similar to AB 767
(John A. Perez) of 2011. (Vetoed - Governor's message,
"While I am supportive of efforts to make the Capitol more
environmentally sustainable, this legislation fails to
identify a funding source that will pay for the tasks
outlined in the bill. Considering the state's fiscal
condition, it would be imprudent to enact legislation that
would result in unknown General Fund costs. In addition,
this bill is vague regarding the specific powers this task
force will hold.)
AB 1327 (Bass) 2009-10 Session. Nearly identical to AB
2670 (John A. Perez) of 2010. (Died on Assembly Suspense
file)
SUPPORT: As of June 24, 2011:
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Environmental Defense Fund
OPPOSE: None on file as of June 24, 2011.
FISCAL COMMITTEE: Senate Appropriations Committee
DUAL REFERRAL: Senate Rules Committee
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