GUIDE TO THE NONRESIDENTIAL CALGREEN CODE
The First Edition of the “Guide to the Nonresidential CALGreen Code” is now published on the Building Standards Commission (BSC) website at the following link: http://www.bsc.ca.gov/CALGreen/default.htm
BILLS WE ARE WATCHING
Your Sacramento staff is still following almost one hundred bills wending their way through the process. However, here are some highlights:
AB 2670 (J. Pérez; D – Los Angeles) Mandates certain state buildings be evaluated using a private green building program without recognizing the state’s own green building code, CALGreen. Oppose.
SB 7 (Romero; D – Los Angeles) Bill addresses issue with the adoption of the national model fire code, which unnecessarily reduced the depth of large buildings from 800 feet to 500 feet. Support.
AB 1581 (Torres; D – Pomona) Streamlines CEQA by providing that existing retail facilities that undergo tenant improvements that result in significant energy and water use reductions, are exempt from the act. Support.
AB 2492 (Ammiano; D – San Francisco) Split Roll Property Tax. Specifies that when 100% of the ownership interests in a legal entity, as defined, are sold or transferred in a single transaction, as specified, the real property owned by that legal entity has changed ownership, whether or not any one legal entity or person that is a party to the transaction acquires more than 50% of the ownership interests. Oppose.
SB 1316 (Romero; D – Los Angeles) Takes California out of conformity with federal law for 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges. Oppose.
AB 737 (Chesbro; D – Eureka) Mandates commercial recycling measure on private buildings but not public facilities. Measure is redundant of the new CalRecycle regulations. Oppose.
AB 1693 (Ma; D – San Francisco) Measure will modify the code adoption cycle and extend it to an 18 month process, adding 3 months to the interim update process. Sponsored bill. Signed by Governor.
AB 1405 (De Leon; D – Los Angeles) Diverts 10% of fees levied on businesses under AB 32 regulations to Environmental Justice advocacy groups. Oppose.
Watch for more action to happen!
SESSION ALMOST OVER
The 2009-2010 Legislative Session ends on Tuesday. Hundreds of bills are being acted upon. “Gut-and-amends,” bills being completely changed at the last minute, are a natural hazard this time of year, and something we watch for very closely.
STILL NO BUDGET – 58 DAYS LATE
Fifty eight days into the new fiscal year and still no budget. But have hope. There is a rampant rumor that “discussions” are being conducted and we could have a vote early next week. Exciting stuff, we know. We’ll let you know if we get anything more solid over the weekend and if details emerge.
GOVERNOR SIGNS INDUSTRY-SPONSORED CODE-ADOPTION BILL
The Governor has signed AB 1693 (Ma), the industry-sponsored legislation that will reduce the frequency with which industry and local government have to deal with new changes to the state building code.
For almost twenty years, California’s Health & Safety Code has required the Building Standards Commission and numerous other state agencies to develop, adopt and publish updated building standards in an annual, 12-month administrative cycle. AB 1693 increases this time period by six months by establishing a new, 18-month code adoption cycle.
This annual administrative process was established in 1992. However, due to the increasingly complicated nature of writing and analyzing these highly technical codes, it is difficult for state agencies to complete all of the related administrative work, including the receipt of and response to public input, within the confines of a 12-month administrative cycle. More importantly, the current 12-month schedule leaves very little time for education and training on the code once adopted before the next set of changes are proposed.
Although AB 1693 stretches the current 12-month code-adoption cycle by 6 months, it does not change the current mandate that a new “triennial edition” of the state code be published every three years. Under this proposal, there would simply be one interim update rather than two during any 3-year period.
Bottom line: AB 1693 will provide more time for builders, architects and local code-enforcement officials to prepare for future changes to the code.
GUIDE TO THE NONRESIDENTIAL CALGREEN CODE
The First Edition of the “Guide to the Nonresidential CALGreen Code” is now published on the Building Standards Commission (BSC) website at the following link: http://www.bsc.ca.gov/CALGreen/default.htm
HISTORIC VOTE APPROVES USE OF PEX PLASTIC PIPE
The Building Standards Commission (BSC) on Monday unanimously adopted emergency regulations allowing the use of PEX Plastic Pipe on a statewide basis.
Secretary Bill Leonard, who also serves as BSC chairman, indicated his support for this historic vote that appears to bring to an end to this legal and administrative battle that started in 1982.
Unlike previous votes on plastic pipe, this latest vote ratified a legal settlement agreed to by the litigants, including the State Pipe Trades Council.
It is anticipated that the BSC staff will issue a formal notice later this week which details this action. CBPA will post the notice once it becomes available to the public.
2010 INDUSTRY AWARDS GALA
The Industry Awards Dinner is scheduled for October 21, 2010 at The Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach. This event is not to be missed as it is a chance to recognize the unwavering leadership of individuals and companies dedicated to our industry.
Winners of the 2010 CBPA Industry Awards have been announced. Industry Awards are given to leaders in the commercial, industrial, and retail real estate industry that have significantly contributed to the advancement of the profession.
Champion of the Industry Award Honorees
Retail: Art Coppola — Macerich
Office: Dick Ziman — AVP Advisors, LLC
Industrial: Howard Schwimmer — Rexford Industrial
Ernie Hahn Memorial Award Honoree
The Irvine Company
John Caldecott Award Honoree
Ranney Draper — Spring Creek Investors
Click here for more information or contact Melissa Martinez at 916-443-4676.
CALCHAMBER SOUNDS ALARM ON IMPACT OF PROPOSITION 19
According to a recent legal analysis by the California Chamber of Commerce, Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, not only would legalize pot use in California, it also would create a legal quagmire for employers by compromising workplace safety and establishing a new class of protected workers in the state. Click here to read their take.
SB 375/ARB REPORT ON REDUCTION TARGETS FOR AUTOS AND LIGHT TRUCKS
ARB staff has released its proposed regional greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for automobiles and light trucks pursuant to Senate Bill 375. The report and its associated California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Functional Equivalent Document are now available online for a 45-day public review period. These proposed targets will be considered by ARB at its September 23, 2010 meeting and can be accessed here.
SDG&E SEEKS 7 PERCENT RATE HIKE
San Diego Gas & Electric Co. has asked regulators for its largest increase in revenue in at least 30 years as part of an initial filing to raise rates for electricity and gas. In a draft application submitted in early August, the utility said it needs $310 million additional dollars, a 7 percent increase from 2010 revenue, to cover costs through 2015. Here is the full story.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND HVAC BUILDING PERMIT ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT
The Contractor’s State Licensing Board (CSLB) is advising licensees that it is accelerating its enforcement plan to ensure that new Title 24 Energy Efficiency enhanced compliance requirements are being met for HVAC systems in Residential and Nonresidential Buildings. These requirements include enhanced duct sealing, proper refrigerant charge, airflow, and fan watt draw. Building permits are necessary to ensure that HVAC construction is performed according to state and local codes and safety standards. Click here to read the full CSLB advisory.
