BILL NUMBER: AB 1574	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 26, 2001
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 16, 2001
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 3, 2001

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Lowenthal

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2001

   An act to add Sections 25401.5 and 25401.7 to the Public Resources
Code, relating to energy resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1574, as amended, 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 and duct
R-value standards for nonresidential buildings, for which a building
permit is issued after the effective date of this bill, and minimum
standards for energy efficiency in single family residential
dwellings, which are occupied on the effective date of this bill.
   The bill would provide that, if, at the time a single family
residential dwelling is sold, a buyer or seller requests an
inspection, that inspection shall include an inspection of the energy
efficiency of the dwelling.
   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.  The Legislature finds and declares that energy costs
represent a significant proportion of consumers' discretionary
expenses and that energy efficiency measures are available for
residential dwellings in existence on the effective date of the act
adding this section.
  SEC. 2.  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 all of the following:

   (1) Adopt regulations, as provided in subdivision (c), which
require the inclusion of higher envelope and duct R-values compatible
with ASHRAE Standard 90.1 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), that
prescribe minimum efficiency standards for single family residential
dwellings that are occupied on the effective date of the act adding
this section.
   (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. 
  SEC. 3.  Section 25401.7 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
   25401.7.   (a)  If, at the time a single family
residential dwelling is sold, a buyer or seller requests an
inspection, that inspection shall include an inspection of the energy
efficiency of the dwelling.  The inspector shall provide the results
of the inspection to the buyer and seller.   The person who
requests the inspection shall be responsible for paying the costs of
inspection.
   (b) For purposes of this section, "inspection" means a "home
inspection" as defined in Section 7195 of the Business and
Professions Code.