C.A.R.’s Legislative Victories Roundup

The first year of the two year legislative cycle ended Friday.  As a direct result of C.A.R.’s and members’ legislative efforts, we had several big, last-minute wins before the state legislature adjourned its regular session.  The Legislature doesn’t come back until January, when bills that failed to pass this year can be brought up again for a vote.  There are already rumors they will be called back into a special session to deal with water issues before then.

The following updates reflect the most-recent news from the last few days of this legislative session:

C.A.R. opposed AB 226 and AB 291, both of which relate to the powers of the California Coastal Commission.  The Commission would like to extend its control over most of the population centers of California, and the bills would set dangerous precedents for state government agencies. With C.A.R.’s opposition, AB 226 and AB 291, did not have the votes necessary to pass and were placed on the Inactive File by their authors. These bills can be voted on next year. 

AB 827:  C.A.R. opposed AB 827, which would permit counties to impose a “transfer tax” up to $3 per property-related document to fund archival services.  This bill, lacking the votes necessary to pass, also was placed on the Inactive File by its author.

SB 407:  C.A.R. opposed SB 407, which proposed to require all residential and commercial properties be retrofitted at point-of-sale with low-flush toilets, shower heads, and faucets.  C.A.R. removed its opposition when the bill was amended to require all properties be retrofitted with water-saving devices by 2017.  With C.A.R. opposition removed, SB 407 was passed by the Legislature last week and awaits the Governor’s signature.

AB 758: This bill was a reintroduction of a bill from last year which would have required all homes and commercial properties to have an energy audit and mandatory energy-efficiency upgrades at point of sale.  The bill was amended at C.A.R.’s request ensuring home energy audits or improvements will not adversely affect real property transactions.  The bill offers a program for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements for existing buildings.  AB 758 passed the Legislature last week and now awaits the Governor’s signature.

SB 183: Another reintroduction of a bill that originally would have acted as a point-of-sale requirement for installation of carbon monoxide detectors.  The bill on’t receive its final vote until January 2010, but C.A.R.’s amendments are already included in the bill.  The bill will have a delayed operative date, will not be a point-of-sale requirement, and will consolidate existing separate disclosures on smoke detectors and water heater strapping into a more user-friendly revised Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS).

These are just a few of the examples of the legislation C.A.R. was active in over the past few months.  We will continue to be vigilant when the legislature reconvenes, protecting your ability to do business, as well as private property rights.