BILL NUMBER: SB 553	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Wolk

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2015

   An act to add Article 6.5 (commencing with Section 14714) to
Chapter 2 of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government
Code, relating to state property.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 553, as introduced, Wolk. Water conservation.
   Existing law requires the Department of General Services to
provide planning, acquisition, construction, and maintenance of state
buildings and property. Existing law requires the department, in
consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission, and with the concurrence of the Department of
Finance, to identify each public building in the department's state
property inventory where it is feasible for that building to reduce
energy consumption and achieve energy efficiencies, as specified, and
to retrofit those buildings, as specified.
   The Water Conservation in Landscaping Act requires the Department
of Water Resources, to the extent funds are appropriated, not later
than January 1, 2009, to update a model water efficient landscape
ordinance to meet specified requirements. The act requires a local
agency, not later than January 1, 2010, to adopt the updated model
ordinance or other water efficient landscape ordinance that is at
least as effective in conserving water as the updated model
ordinance.
   This bill would require the Department of General Services to
identify each public property in the department's state property
inventory where it is feasible for water consumption to be reduced
and water efficiencies to be achieved through implementation of the
relevant recommendations made in the model water efficient landscape
ordinance and would require the department to implement the relevant
recommendations where feasible, except as specified.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares:
   (a) California is prone to cycles of drought and water shortage.
   (b) According to the Department of Water Resources, landscape
irrigation represents 43 percent of urban water use.
   (c) The state must take a leadership role in implementing water
efficient landscape practices.
  SEC. 2.  Article 6.5 (commencing with Section 14714) is added to
Chapter 2 of Part 5.5 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government
Code, to read:

      Article 6.5.  State Property Water Use


   14714.  (a) The department shall identify each public property in
the department's state property inventory where it is feasible for
water consumption to be reduced and water efficiencies to be achieved
through implementation of the relevant recommendations made in the
model water efficient landscape ordinance adopted by the Department
of Water Resources pursuant to Sections 65595 and 65596. These
recommendations shall include, but not be limited to, recommendations
regarding the replacement of landscaping with drought tolerant
plants.
   (b) The department shall implement the relevant recommendations
for each public property identified pursuant to subdivision (a) to
reduce overall water consumption where feasible, except that work on
public property of the California State University shall be subject
to the consent of the California State University.
   (c) For purposes of this section, "feasible" means capable of
being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period
of time, taking into account life-cycle cost analyses, and
environmental, social, and technological factors.