BILL NUMBER: AB 1574	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Lowenthal

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2001

   An act to add Section 25401.5 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to energy resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1574, as introduced, Lowenthal.  Energy conservation:  building
standards.
   Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission to adopt regulations concerning energy
conservation standards for lighting, insulation, climate control
systems, and other building design and construction standards for new
residential and new nonresidential buildings.
   This bill would require the commission to adopt emergency
regulations, not more than 240 days after the effective date of this
bill, prescribing higher envelope R-value standards for new
residential and nonresidential buildings, for which a building permit
is issued after the effective date of this bill, and minimum
standards for energy efficiency in residential buildings, which are
occupied on the effective date of this bill, to be met upon resale.
   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.  Section 25401.5 is added to the Public Resources Code,
to read:
   25401.5.  (a)  For the purpose of reducing electrical and natural
gas energy consumption, the commission shall do both of the
following:
   (1) Adopt regulations, as provided in subdivision (c), which
require the inclusion of higher envelope R-values in new residential
buildings, and higher envelope R-values compatible with ASHRAE Tier
II for new nonresidential buildings, for which building permits are
issued after the effective date of the act adding this section.
   (2) Adopt regulations, as provided in subdivision (c), which
require residential buildings that are occupied on the effective date
of the act adding this section to meet minimum levels of energy
efficiency upon resale to another party.
   (b) Subdivision (c) of Section 11346.1 of the Government Code does
not apply to the regulations adopted pursuant to this section.
Instead, the commission shall only consult with the California
Building Standards Commission prior to adopting the regulations.
   (c) The regulations adopted by the commission for the purposes of
this section shall be adopted as emergency regulations in accordance
with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of
Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.  For purposes of that
chapter of the Government Code, including Section 11349.6 of the
Government Code, the adoption of the regulations shall be considered
by the Office of Administrative Law to be necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, and general
welfare.
   (d) The commission shall adopt the regulations pursuant to this
section not more than 240 days after the effective date of the act
adding this section.