BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1073
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1073 (Fuentes)
As Amended May 16, 2011
Majority vote
UTILITIES & COMMERCE 14-0
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|Ayes:|Bradford, Fletcher, | | |
| |Buchanan, Fong, Fuentes, | | |
| |Furutani, Roger | | |
| |Hern�ndez, Huffman, | | |
| |Knight, Ma, Nestande, | | |
| |Skinner, Swanson, Valadao | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires that a written building or construction
permit be submitted when customers apply to electric utilities
for ratepayer funded energy efficiency incentives.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires incentive applicants to self-certify that they have
obtained appropriate building permits from the local
jurisdiction having authority and received final permit
approval in order to qualify for ratepayer-funded energy
efficiency incentives if a project requires a permit from the
local jurisdiction.
2)Provides an exemption for energy efficiency incentives for
appliances or changes, alterations, or repairs to structures
that are of a minor nature not affecting structural features,
egress, sanitation, safety, or accessibility, as determined by
the entity of local government responsible for the issuance of
building or construction permits.
3)Applies to energy efficiency incentive programs administered
by electric, gas, and municipal utilities.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : According to the author, this bill is designed to
increase compliance with appropriate state and local building
codes that govern energy efficiency construction projects. A
recent analysis indicates that proper permits are obtained in
AB 1073
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less than 10% of heating, ventilation and air conditioning
replacements in existing buildings, even though they are
required by state health and safety laws for building
construction.
Construction permits from the local jurisdiction are required
for almost every remodeling project whether the work is
performed by a contractor or self-installed (state contractors'
licensing is not required for do-it-yourselfers or projects that
are less than $500).
As California moves toward more stringent energy efficiency
requirements for existing buildings, new challenges may arise
with regard to modifying existing buildings due to the
possibility of outdated construction materials (e.g., knob and
tube wiring, asbestos insulation, sub-optimal electrical service
for current technology needs, possible presence of asbestos
and/or lead paint) that may need to be updated or replaced in
conjunction with an energy efficiency retrofit measure.
Permitting is not only the law but important for building
occupants . Lacking appropriate verification of code compliance,
building occupants (including, but not limited to, residential
housing, commercial housing, office buildings) could be
subjected to unsafe living conditions because there is no
assurance that alterations or improvements comply with current
state construction codes.
Permits are obtained from the local jurisdiction having
authority, which may mean a city building department, a county
building department and, in some locales, a separate permit from
the local fire marshal.
Analysis Prepared by : Susan Kateley / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0000670
AB 1073
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