BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1879
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 25, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 1879 (Gaines) - As Introduced: February 22, 2012
Policy Committee: Business and
Professions Vote: 9 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the State Architect to submit a report to the
governor and Legislature by January 1, 2014, that evaluates all
state and federal regulations and laws concerning disability
access and noting any state regulations that conflict with
federal regulations.
FISCAL EFFECT
The State Architect has already undertaken the required study
and has found in excess of 2,000 conflicting regulations.
Currently, the office is planning a series of town hall meetings
and workshops beginning this summer in order to process the
findings and begin developing recommendations. To the extent
this legislation requires the State Architect to complete the
study and submit findings and recommendations earlier than their
current plan; it could increase the workload costs of the
report.
COMMENTS
Rationale . The intent of this legislation is to begin the
process of identifying conflicting and cumbersome regulations as
it concerns disability access. According to the author, "The
complex and inconsistent regulations regarding disability access
make it difficult for willing business owners to comply with the
strict regulations. Approximately 98% of California businesses
are out of compliance with state or federal disability access
laws. This is harmful to both individuals with a disability
seeking access and businesses that are exposed to civil actions.
AB 1879
Page 2
"AB 1879 instructs the SA to compile a list of all federal and
state disability access regulations. Additionally, it specifies
that any conflicts in state and federal regulations be
identified. The report will be due to the Governor and
Legislature by January 1, 2014 in the least costly form."
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081