BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2740
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 30, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 2740 (Bonilla) - As Amended: April 24, 2014
Policy Committee: Business and
Professions Vote: 14 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance
Repair, Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation (BEARHFTI) to be
subject to review by the Legislature before January 1, 2019, and
requests that BEARHFTI report on specified concerns to the
Legislature by March 1, 2015. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires that BEARHFTI's powers and duties be subject to
review by the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer
Protection Committee and the Senate Business, Professions and
Economic Development Committee (Committees), and further
requires that the review be performed as if the provisions of
BEARHFTI were scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2019.
2)Makes findings and declarations relating to BEARHFTI's
creation, jurisdiction, and its joint oversight sunset hearing
held by the Committees, and to issues and recommendations that
were raised in BEARHFTI's sunset background paper.
3)States that it is the intent of the Legislature that BEARHFTI
examine and respond to the issues and recommendations
identified in the sunset background paper, and report back to
the Committees by March 1, 2015, with its findings.
FISCAL EFFECT
One-time minor costs to BEARHFTI (special funds) to respond to
the issues and recommendations in the sunset review background
paper and report back to the Legislature by March 1, 2015. The
bill recommends, but does not require, BEARHFTI to respond.
AB 2740
Page 2
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . According to the author, "Although BEARHFTI is
subject to sunset review, and was subject to a sunset review
oversight hearing on March 10, 2014, its statutory provisions
do not contain a sunset review provision. This bill simply
seeks to make clear that BEARHFTI is subject to sunset review,
and to reinforce the recommendations contained in BEARHFTI's
sunset review report in order to increase accountability."
2)Background . BEARHFTI, which is housed under the Department of
Consumer Affairs (DCA), licenses and regulates over 40,000
businesses, including businesses that engage in the repair of
electronics and appliances, the sale and administration of
service contracts, and the manufacture, sale, and repair of
home furnishings and thermal insulation. BEARHFTI also
inspects businesses and conducts investigations; researches
and develops standards for, and tests, home furnishings and
thermal insulation products, handles consumer complaints, and
initiates disciplinary action against businesses that violate
statutory or regulatory requirements.
3)Sunset Review . Existing law establishes the Joint Sunset
Review Committee to identify and eliminate waste, duplication,
and inefficiency in government agencies. The purpose is to
conduct a performance review of every eligible agency,
including boards, bureaus, commissions and councils under DCA,
to determine if the agency is still necessary and cost
effective. Currently, the duties of the Joint Sunset Review
Committee are performed by the Assembly Business, Professions
and Consumer Protection Committee and the Senate Business,
Profession and Economic Development Committee (Committees).
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916)
319-2081