Laserfiche WebLink
&', Pa <br />Legislative Bill Action <br />......... s ...................... ............................... <br />to provide a list of universal design features that <br />are available Lo make homes more accessible to <br />individuals with disabilities. While the bill does not <br />actually require developers to provide any univer- <br />sal design features, AB 1400 does specify the <br />content of the list homebuyers are to receive. The <br />bill also requires developers to indicate which <br />listed features are standard, optional, limited or not <br />available. For those features on the list that <br />developers do offer, the date by which the buyer <br />must request the feature from the developer must <br />be disclosed as well. AB 1400 has passed the <br />Assembly and now awaits further action in the <br />Senate. Staff: Dan Carrigg, Status: Senate, <br />Position: Review and Comment. <br />AB 1449 (Firebaugh). Outdoor Advertising. <br />AB 1449 expands the existing law which permits <br />the Department of Transportation to allow the <br />height of a billboard to be increased when a noise <br />attenuation structure blocks its visibility from the <br />road. This measure lists other structures which <br />may obscure a billboard such as a bridge, over- <br />pass, or underpass that has been erected by a <br />governmental agency. In addition, the bill allows <br />for relocation of the billboard. Finally, AB 1449 <br />requires, through a cross reference, that the <br />relocation of the billboard must comply with all <br />existing requirements including securing neces- <br />sary local approvals. AB 1449 has been approved <br />by the Assembly and now awaits further action in <br />the Senate. Staff: Dan Carrigg, Status: Senate, <br />Position: Review and Comment. <br />SB 289 (Murray). Residential Solar Energy <br />Systems. SB 289 requires the builder of a single <br />family residence intended for sale to offer pur- <br />chasers the option of installing, a solar energy <br />system on the home. In addition, the bill requires <br />a percentage of single - family residences con- <br />structed after 2006 to include a two- kilowatt solar <br />energy system. The specific percentage has not <br />yet been outlined in the bill. Finally, SB 289 directs <br />the California Energy Commission to reassess <br />the 2- kilowatt standard in 2008 to determine <br />whether or not it generates a minimum of 50% of <br />a new single - family home's energy needs. The bill <br />is designed to promote the use of solar energy, <br />but these requirements may increase the cost of <br />housing. SB 289 should be followed closely <br />because some amendments being considered by <br />the author directly impact local land use authority <br />and permitting processes. Staff: Dan Carrigg, <br />Status: SenApps :Hrg -5/29, Position: Watch. <br />ENVIRONMENTAL <br />SB 196 (Kuehl). Regional Water Quality <br />Control Boards. Municipal Members. SB 196 <br />is a League- sponsored bill that would clarify <br />existing law regarding the composition of the <br />state's nine regional water quality control boards. <br />Existing law provides that each regional board <br />shall include one member who is "associated with <br />a municipal government." SB 196 would provide <br />clarification that the individual appointed to this <br />position is a mayor or a city council member. <br />Currently, of the nine regional boards, only three <br />include mayors or council members in the "asso- <br />ciated with municipal government" position. This <br />clarification would only apply at the next and <br />subsequent vacancies for this position. Staff: <br />Yvonne Hunter, Status: AsWPBWild, Position: <br />Support/Sponsor. <br />AB 334 (Goldberg). Water Softeners. AB <br />334 makes it easier for cities to regulate residen- <br />tial water softeners. As recently amended, AB 334 <br />passed the Assembly and is now in the Senate <br />awaiting assignment to committee. The original <br />version of AB 334 would have deleted restrictions <br />in existing law that limit how cities and counties <br />may regulate water softeners and instead would <br />have authorized a city, county, or special district to <br />adopt an ordinance to "limit the availability or use, <br />or prohibit the installation, of water softening or <br />conditioning appliances that discharge to the <br />community sewer system." As amended, AB 334 <br />would still make it easier for cities to regulate <br />residential water softeners. However, in its cur- <br />rent form, local agencies would have to make <br />specific findings before doing so. Staff: Yvonne <br />Hunter, Status: Senate, Position: Support. <br />PAGE 12 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org <br />