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For more infonnatlon about the Water Task Force, please visit www.cacltles,oralwatertaskforce, or emall Kyra Ross at kross@cacltles.ora. California Communities launching AB 811 Energy Efficiency Financing Program Energy efficiency upgrades are an increasingly valuable asset to any property and soon Callfomia Communities can help cities finance these projects for home and business owners. Through AB 811 (2008), assessment liens can be used to finance renewable energy and energy efticlency upgrades. When a property is sold, the lien goes to the next owner until the lien is paid off. This policy makes energy efficiency upgrades for property owners much easier because it h~lps with the upfront costs and mitigates any fear that the Investment will be lost when a property Is sold. Califomia Communities on Dec. 12, 2008 approved the award of a RFP to provide two approaches for cities to use for home and business owners financing of renewable energy projects and energy efficiency upgrades. One program will fund Initial loans through a temporary line of credit. with the Intent to take out those loans at a later date via a bond issue once sufficient volume is attained. The other will provide direct lending from a large commercial bank for the energy efticiency upgrades and solar projects, without the Intent of Issuing bonds to take out those 'loans. ' The conceptual framewort< for the programs has been developed and California Communities is finalizing its approach to legal Issues surrounding the priority of a lien created by special assessments under AB 811 and the effects of the lien on a deed of trust for a homeowner or business. The legal issues should be resolved in May with programs scheduled for roll out In August. For more Information, please contact California Communities staff Terrence Murphy at (925) 933- 9229 x223 or tmumhvtalcacommunities.ora. Corrections Department Proposals Rely on Risk Assessment to Cut $400 Million from Budget The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (COCR) put forward five reform proposals In response to the $400 million budget cut the department faces with the FY 2009-10 budget passed in February. CDCR Secretary Matt Cate announced that these solutions are "smart on crime and tough on crime," allowing CDCR to maximize limited resources without jeopardizing pUblic safety. The proposals' main thrust would shift the majority of resources towards the serious, violent, and sexual offenders who are at the hig,hest risk of reoffending. (More information on the COCR's risk-assessment tool is available by cllckina here.) Additional details about when these programs will go Into effect and how local law enforcement agencles will engage will be announced shortly. Secretary Matt Cate did however confirm that these proposals do not Initially meet the $400 million dollar cut so more savings will need to be found elsewhere. These proposals must also win approval from the legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The five proposals are: 1) Parole Refonn: COCR will only keep serious. violent, or sexual offenders on supervised parole and along with non-violent, non-serious, and non-sexual offenders who have a high risk of reoffendlng. All other parolees who have a commitment offense that .is non- violent, non-serious, and non-sexual In addition to qualifying as low-risk will be on direct discharge. This proposal Is modified slightly from previous versions because of the additional consideration of the risk-factor management tool. SA Page 16 7