BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 930
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 26, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION
Mary Hayashi, Chair
AB 930 (Gordon) - As Introduced: February 18, 2011
SUBJECT : The California Building Standards Commission.
SUMMARY : Requires at least one member of the California
Building Standards Commission (CBSC) to be experienced and
knowledgeable in sustainable building, design, construction, and
operation.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes the CBSC to administer California's building
codes, including adopting, approving, publishing, and
implementing codes and standards.
2)Requires that the CBSC appointed membership include:
a) An architect;
b) A mechanical or electrical engineer or fire protection
engineer;
c) A structural engineer;
d) A licensed contractor;
e) Three public members, at least one of whom shall be a
person with physical disabilities;
f) A member from the organized labor in the building
trades;
g) A local building official;
h) A local fire official;
i) At least one member experienced and knowledgeable in
each of the following:
i) Barrier free architecture and access for persons
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with physical disabilities; and,
ii) Building energy efficiency standards.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
Purpose of this bill . According to the author's office, "The
CBSC's eleven members are designated in statute to represent the
public, building design professionals, the building and
construction industry, local government building officials, fire
officials, and labor. While there are various dedicated sectors
for members of the CBSC to be from, not one of the 11 members is
required to be experienced and knowledgeable in sustainable
building, design, construction, and operation."
Background . The CBSC was established in 1953 and is responsible
for administering California's building codes, including
adopting, approving, publishing, and implementing codes and
standards. The CBSC publishes the California Building Standards
Code every three years, and its supplements, such as the
California Green Building Standards Code, in intervening years.
The 11 members of the CBSC are appointed by the Governor and
confirmed by the Senate. CBSC members meet quarterly and
represent the public, building design professions, the building
and construction industry, local government building officials,
fire officials, and labor. Members serve four-year terms
without compensation and there is currently one CBSC vacancy.
"Sustainable" or "green" building practices include energy and
water conservation, reduction of waste and emissions, lower
operations and maintenance costs, and increased productivity and
health among building users.
Support . According to the sponsor, the United States Green
Building Council California Advisory Committee, "Considering
green building's critical role in the emerging California
economy and the associated benefits of energy efficiency,
environmental health and job growth, the CBSC needs resident
expertise in this area. The recent implementation of the
California Green Building Standards Code by the CBSC makes the
need for members of the CBSC to have experience in sustainable
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building, design, construction and operation more important than
ever before."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
United States Green Building Council California Advisory
Committee (sponsor)
Build It Green
Sierra Club California
StopWaste.Org
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301