Existing law requires the Department of General Services to provide planning, acquisition, construction, and maintenance of state buildings and property, and maintain a statewide property inventory of all real property held by the state. Existing law, when a state agency builds upon state-owned real property, purchases real property, or replaces landscaping or irrigation, except as specified, requires the state agency to reduce water consumption and increase water efficiencies for that property where feasible, as defined, through specified water efficiency measures.

This bill would require the Department of General Services to review a certain SITES v2 Rating System to determine appropriate sustainability recommendations for use when installing or renovating a landscape of more than 5,000 square feet on state-owned real property and adopt regulations consistent with those sustainability recommendations in order to promote sustainable practices for landscapes on state-owned real property. review, at least every 5 years, any existing regulations and practices for sustainability, energy efficiency, and water efficiency requirements for landscapes on state-owned real property to ensure those regulations and practices reflect the most current sustainability and efficiency standards available.

The California Building Standards Law provides for the adoption of building standards by state agencies by requiring all state agencies that adopt or propose adoption of any building standard to submit the building standard to the California Building Standards Commission for approval and adoption. Existing law provides that if no agency has the authority or expertise to propose green building standards applicable to a particular occupancy, the commission shall adopt, approve, codify, update, and publish green building standards. Existing law requires the commission and any state agency that proposes green building standards to comply with specified procedural requirements, including allowing input from other state agencies that have expertise in that area and requirements relating to the publication of those standards.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation relating to green building standards.

Date of Hearing: May 2, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2475

Author:(Ting) – As Amended Ver:April 17, 2018

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Department of General Services (DGS), at least every five years, to review efficiency and sustainability requirements and practices for landscapes on state owned properties.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Minor and absorbable costs to DGS (GF) to perform the reviews.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. This bill seeks to ensure that sustainable and efficient landscaping practices at state buildings reflect the most-current standards. According to the author, “This bill ensures regular review of landscaping standards to promote efficiency and sustainability in landscaping around state buildings.”
2. Background. Existing law and policies set requirements for sustainability and efficiency in landscaping on state building properties. For new and rehabilitation landscape projects, state agencies are required to comply with the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) latest Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), which sets standards for items such as efficient irrigation systems, onsite storm water capture, and limits on planting with high water use plants. Current law requires MWELO to be updated every three years.

For erosion, sedimentation control, and storm water retention related to preventing storm water pollution at state buildings, regulations require state agencies to comply with the detailed requirements of the California Green Building Standards (CGBS). The California Building Standards Commission updates the CGBS every three years.

The State Administrative Manual (SAM)--a resource published by DGS and the Department of Finance that includes statewide policies, procedures, requirements, and information--details landscaping practices at state buildings. It provides departments with instructions for existing landscapes and lawns, new and rehabbed low water use landscapes, irrigation, sustainable grounds and landscape maintenance practices, and erosion, sedimentation control and storm water retention. The SAM section includes links to both MWELO and CGBS information.

Analysis Prepared by: Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 25, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

Susan Talamantes Eggman, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2475 (

Author:Ting) – As Amended Ver:April 17, 2018

SUBJECT: State-owned property: sustainable landscaping

SUMMARY: Requires the Department of General Services (DGS), at least every five years, to review regulations and practices for sustainability, energy efficiency, and water efficiency for landscapes on state-owned property to ensure they reflect the most current standards.

EXISTING LAW: requires state agencies to meet water efficiency standards when they build, purchase, or replace landscaping or irrigation on state property.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: This bill requires DGS to review efficiency and sustainability requirements and practices for landscapes on state owned properties, at least every five years.

According to the author:

"California has long been an environmental leader and has the most aggressive goals in the nation for the reduction of energy consumption, water consumption, and greenhouse gases. In order to meet these goals, the state needs to ensure it is managing its properties using the highest available standards and practices. This bill ensures regular review of the standards to promote efficiency and sustainability in landscaping around state buildings."

Current law and policies set requirements for sustainability and efficiency in landscaping on state building properties. For new and rehabilitation landscape projects, state agencies are required to comply with the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) latest Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), which sets standards for items such as efficient irrigation systems, onsite storm water capture, and limits on landscapes that can be planted with high water use plants. Current law requires MWELO to be updated every three years.

For erosion, sedimentation control, and storm water retention related to preventing storm water pollution at state buildings, state agencies are required to comply with the current version of the California Green Building Standards (CGBS). Like MWELO, CGBS contains detailed requirements and is updated every three years.

The State Administrative Manual (SAM), a resource published by DGS and the Department of Finance that includes statewide policies, procedures, requirements and information, details landscaping practices at state buildings. It provides departments with instructions for existing landscapes; existing lawns; new and rehabbed low water use landscapes; irrigation; sustainable grounds and landscape maintenance practices; and erosion, sedimentation control and storm water retention. The SAM section includes links to both MWELO and CGBS information.

This bill would provide an additional review to current sustainability and efficiency practices at state buildings.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

U.S. Green Building Council

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Scott Herbstman / A. & A.R. / (916) 319-3600