BILL NUMBER:  SB 744
  VETOED	DATE: 09/25/2012




To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 744 without my signature.

This bill would provide that any water submeter tested by the
National Institute of Standards and Technology will be deemed sealed
and approved for commercial use without state or local review.
Currently, more than one out of every ten meters is found to be
inaccurate. In fact, last year, nearly 15% were found to be
inaccurate.  For Californian's living in submetered dwellings, having
accurate metered water use is an important consumer protection.

By allowing non-sealers to verify the accuracy of these commercial
devices, the bill removes the Department of Food and Agriculture's
cornerstone tenet of weights and measures protections for the public.

I do, however, believe that having a more uniformed process for
certification of water meters, especially hot water meters, as well
as water treatment devices is necessary and merited.  I am directing
the Department of Food and Agriculture and the Department of Public
Health to work with the Legislature on restructuring these
certifications.

Sincerely,



Edmund G. Brown Jr.