BILL NUMBER: AB 262	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  227
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 11, 2009
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 11, 2009
	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
	AMENDED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 1, 2009
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 16, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 14, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bass
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Fuentes)

                        FEBRUARY 11, 2009

   An act to amend Section 25450 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to energy, and making an appropriation therefor.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 262, Bass.  American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan: energy
activities, programs, or projects.
   Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission, State
Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy
Commission), and the Department of Water Resources to undertake
various programs related to energy and water conservation.
   This bill would require that any moneys received by the state
pursuant to the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 that are directed for energy-related activities, programs, or
projects, be administered by the state's energy and water agencies,
and provide that those activities, programs, or projects should
adhere to the principle of accountability while also adhering to
existing state policies to promote energy efficiency, promote water
conservation, promote the development and use of renewable energy
resources, protect the environment, and provide green job training.
The bill would appropriate $113,093,000 to the Energy Commission for
expenditure consistent with the federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 and applicable provisions of state law,
including the provisions of the bill.
   Appropriation: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Any moneys received pursuant to the federal American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) that are
directed for energy-related activities, programs, or projects,
including energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, projects
for the building of electrical transmission, and activities to create
conservation or "green-collar" jobs, shall be administered by the
appropriate state energy and water agencies and should adhere to the
principle of accountability while also adhering to existing state
policies to promote energy efficiency, including green building
practices, promote water conservation, promote the development and
use of renewable energy resources, protect the environment, and
provide green job training.
  SEC. 2.  Section 25450 of the Public Resources Code is amended to
read:
   25450.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) The cost of energy in California is increasing and creating
greater demands on local governments' operating budgets.
   (2) The 110th Congress enacted the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 17001 et seq.) that provides
energy efficiency and conservation block grants to eligible entities,
including states, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, improve energy
efficiency, and reduce overall energy use.
   (3) Section 545(c)(1)(A) of the Energy Independence and Security
Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 17155(c)(1)(A)) mandates that states
receiving block grants under the act use not less than 60 percent of
the grant amount to provide subgrants to local governments that are
not eligible entities for the purposes of the act.
   (4) The 111th Congress enacted the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) that appropriates funds
for energy efficiency and conservation, water conservation, home
weatherization, green workforce development, and renewable energy.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to fully implement the
requirements for, and achieve the purposes of, the energy and
conservation block grants provided pursuant to the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), in the most expedient
manner possible, and that the funds allocated to the state pursuant
to those acts be administered by the commission. Moreover, to the
extent possible without causing undue delay, the commission shall
look to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 programs and make
policy decisions that leverage and maximize the use of these dollars,
including, but not limited to, the areas of energy efficiency,
renewable energy, water efficiency, weatherization, and green
workforce development.
   (c) It is the intent of the Legislature to strive to maximize the
opportunity to allocate funds toward the most cost-effective energy
efficiency projects, and when allocating funds toward administration,
the commission should use the allowable administrative expenses
specified in Section 545(c)(4) of the Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 17155(c)(4)) as a ceiling and
improve efficiencies to allocate less than the allowable amount.
  SEC. 3.  The sum of one hundred thirteen million ninety-three
thousand dollars ($113,093,000) is hereby appropriated to the State
Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission from the
Federal Trust Fund for expenditure consistent with the federal
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) and
applicable provisions of state law, including the provisions of this
act.