Bill Text: CA AB19 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Building standards: water meters: multiunit structures.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-01 - Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB19 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB19-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 19	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 15, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 23, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 17, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Fong

                        DECEMBER 6, 2010

   An act to add  Chapter 4.2 (commencing with Section 1963.010)
to Title 5 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, and to add
 Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 537) to Division 1 of the
Water Code, relating to water.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 19, as amended, Fong. Building standards: water meters:
multiunit structures.
   The Water Measurement Law requires every water purveyor to
require, as a condition of new water service on and after January 1,
1992, the installation of a water meter to measure water service.
That law also requires urban water suppliers to install water meters
on specified service connections, and to charge water users based on
the actual volume of deliveries as measured by those water meters in
accordance with a certain timetable.
   This bill would require a water purveyor that provides water
service to a newly constructed multiunit residential structure or
newly constructed mixed-use residential and commercial structure 
, including a structure that is part of a common interest
development,  that submits an application for a water connection
after January 1, 2014, to  either adopt a general policy to
require the installation of either a water meter, as defined, or a
submeter, as defined, to measure water supplied to each individual
dwelling unit, or to inform, on an individual basis, an applicant for
new water service as to whether a water meter or submeter is
required to be installed for each individual dwelling unit 
 require the installation of a water meter or submeter to measure
the water supplied to each individual dwelling unit as a condition
of new water se   rvice  . The bill would require the
owner of the structure to ensure that a water submeter installed for
these purposes complies with laws and regulations governing
installation, approval of meter type, maintenance, reading, billing,
and testing of water submeters. The bill would  except
  exempt  certain buildings from these
requirements. 
   Existing law governs the hiring of dwelling units.  
   The bill would impose prescribed requirements, including
requirements for billing and disclosure, on landlords for submetered
water service to individual dwelling units. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

   SECTION 1.    Chapter 4.2 (commencing with Section
1963.010) is added to Title 5 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the 
 Civil Code   , to read:  
      CHAPTER 4.2.  WATER SERVICE


   1963.010.  It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this
chapter to do both of the following:
   (a) To encourage the conservation of water in multifamily
residential rental buildings through means either within the landlord'
s or the tenant's control.
   (b) To ensure that the practices involving the submetering of
dwelling units for water service are just and reasonable, and include
appropriate safeguards for both tenants and landlords.
   1963.020.  As used in this chapter:
   (a) "Billing agent" means a person or entity who contracts to
provide submetering services to a landlord, including billing.
   (b) "Landlord" includes all agents of the landlord, billing
agents, successors in interest to the real property interests of the
landlord, and persons and entities with which the landlord contracts
for billing, meter reading, meter maintenance or repair, or other
services in connection with imposing water or sewage service charges.
"Landlord" does not include a tenant who rents all or a portion of a
dwelling unit to subtenants.
   (c) "Property" means real property containing two or more dwelling
units that is served by a single meter.
   (d) "Rental agreement" includes a fixed-term lease.
   (e) "Renting" includes leasing, whether on a periodic or
fixed-term basis.
   (f) "Submeter" means a device that measures water consumption of
an individual rental unit within a multiunit residential structure or
mixed-use residential and commercial structure, and which is owned
and operated by the landlord. "Submeter" includes submeters, if more
than one submeter is being used to measure water usage in a
particular dwelling unit.
   (g) "Water service" includes any charges for other services,
including sewage or storm water services, that are based on charges
for water service.
   (h) "Water purveyor" means a water purveyor as defined in Section
512 of the Water Code. A landlord complying with the provisions of
this chapter shall not be considered a water purveyor.
   1963.030.  A landlord shall not charge tenants separately for
water service unless the water and submetering system is installed,
operated, and maintained as follows:
   (a) The submeter is certified for commercial purposes pursuant to
law, including, but not limited to, Section 12500.5 of the Business
and Professions Code.
   (b) The installation conforms to all laws, including, but not
limited to, regulations established pursuant to Section 12107 of the
Business and Professions Code.
   (c) The installation was performed by a licensed service provider.

   (d) The submeter is operated in compliance with regulations
established pursuant to Section 12107 of the Business and Professions
Code.
   (e) The submeter for a dwelling unit measures only water that is
supplied for the exclusive use of the particular dwelling unit and
only to an area within the exclusive possession and control of the
tenant of the dwelling unit.
   (f) The primary submeter indicator or remote reader may be easily
accessed and read by the tenant of the dwelling unit, and read by the
owner landlord without entering the dwelling unit.
   (g) Each submeter is reinspected and recalibrated within the time
limits specified in law or regulation.
   (h) The plumbing fixtures conform to all laws regarding
habitability of dwellings and water conservation.
   (i) This section shall not be construed to require a water
purveyor to assume responsibility for ensuring compliance with any
law or regulation governing installation, certification, maintenance,
and testing of water submeters and associated onsite plumbing.
   1963.040.
   Prior to executing a rental agreement, the landlord shall clearly
disclose the following to the tenant, in writing, in at least
10-point type, which may be incorporated into the rental agreement:
   (a) The tenant will be billed for water usage separately from the
rent.
   (b) The average bill for water usage for units at the property
over the most recent calendar year, or portion thereof if the
building is less than one year old.
   (d) The frequency of submeter readings.
   (e) The due dates and payment procedures for bills.
   (f) If a billing agent is used, the name, address, e-mail address,
normal hours of operation, and toll-free telephone number of the
agent.
   (g) The date the submeter was last tested and calibrated, and the
date by which it must be retested and recalibrated under law.
   (h) A statement in substantially the following form:

   The landlord (or name of landlord) shall charge you (or name of
tenant, or term used in the rental agreement for the tenant) for
water use at the same rate that the (purveyor) bills its customers
for residential use. To find out what the rate charged by (purveyor)
is, contact (purveyor) at (address), (telephone number).

   (i) A statement that the tenant shall only be charged for actual
water usage at the exact rate(s) charged by the water purveyor
servicing the building for volumetric water usage, and that no other
administrative, connection, disconnection, billing, or other periodic
fee or charge may be assessed, other than a late fee. If the
landlord reserves the right to charge a late fee, the amount and
terms of the late fee shall also be disclosed.
   (j) The location of the submeter, and the directions for the
tenant to read the submeter.
   1963.050.  (a) A landlord shall bill a tenant only for volumetric
usage of water. The landlord shall not impose any periodic,
connection, termination, or other fee, however denominated, except
for late fees or testing fees as provided in this chapter.
   (b) The amount of the bill shall be calculated by multiplying the
water volume, as determined by the submeter for the billing period in
question, times the rate(s) for volumetric usage established by the
water purveyor for residential use.
   (c) If the rates established by the water purveyor change, the
bill shall be prorated to reflect the time each rate was in effect.
At the landlord's option, the landlord may assess charges for the
entire billing period based on the lower rate.
   (d) If a beginning or ending submeter reading is, in good faith,
not available, the landlord may bill the tenant 75 percent of the
amount originally disclosed to the tenant under subdivision (b) of
Section 1963.040.
   (e) No charges shall be imposed under this chapter if readings
have been unavailable for more than three months.
   1963.060.  (a) The billing cycle shall match that of the water
purveyor.
   (b) Submeters shall normally be read at the same point in each
billing cycle. Submeters may be read within three days of the normal
date.
   (c) Bills shall be due at the same point in each billing cycle.
However, bills shall be due no earlier than five days after mailing,
if mailed, or one day after personal delivery.
   (d) Bills shall include the following information:
   (1) The beginning and ending submeter readings, the dates read,
and the indicated consumption.
   (2) The unit of measure for the readings and usage.
   (3) The rate(s) charged per unit of measure.
   (4) The amount of the current charges.
   (5) A separate entry showing past due amounts, if any.
   (6) A separate entry showing any previously-imposed late charges.
   (7) The total amount due.
   (8) The due date for the bill.
   (9) A statement of the amount of late charges, if any, and when
the late charges would apply. Late charges shall be imposed pursuant
to Section 1963.110.
   (10) The name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number,
and the regular business hours of the person or persons the tenant
may call with questions or concerns, and who is authorized to make
any necessary adjustments. If a billing agent is used, the name of
the entity shall be disclosed and the telephone number shall be
toll-free.
   1963.070.  If a tenancy begins or ends on a date more than three
days from than a normal reading, the submeter shall be read within
three days of the beginning or end of the tenancy, and the first and
last bills calculated accordingly. Tenancies beginning or ending
within three days of a normal reading may be billed based upon the
normal reading, for the first or last bills.
   1963.080.  (a) A landlord shall not charge or recover, or allow to
be charged or recovered, any of the following:
   (1) Any additional servicing, administrative, establishment,
maintenance, meter reading, meter testing, billing, or submetering
fee or other fee whatsoever, however denominated, including those
charged by a billing agent.
   (2) Any fees billed to the landlord by the water purveyor, billing
agent, or any other person for any deposit, disconnect, reconnect,
late payment, or other similar fees.
   (3) Any charges by the water purveyor not directly based on
volumetric usage, including any base charges, customer service
charges, or monthly, bimonthly, or other periodic charges assessed
regardless of the volume consumed.
   (b) This section does not prohibit a landlord from recovering any
costs listed in subdivision (a) that are incorporated into the rent
for a dwelling unit, if the rent is a fixed amount per rental period,
the charges are not listed separately, and the rental charges are
otherwise lawful.
   1963.090.  The landlord shall maintain and make available in
writing, at the tenant's request, within seven days after the
request, the following:
   (a) All installation and maintenance records of the submeter in
the tenant's dwelling unit, including the name, license number, and
contact information of the service provider who installed or serviced
the submeter.
   (b) The most recent test results of the submeter in the tenant's
dwelling unit.
   (c) The method and sources used to determine the rate at which the
tenant is charged for water.
   1963.100.  (a) If the water system in a dwelling unit does not
function properly, including leaks, a fixture allowing unnecessary
water consumption, or a malfunctioning submeter, the tenant may
request the landlord to repair the problem. The landlord shall make
the repairs within seven days.
   (b) A tenant may request that a landlord have a submeter tested
for accuracy. The landlord shall respond to the request within seven
days, and the test shall be carried out as soon as is practicable.
The test shall be performed by a service provider or other person
authorized by law to perform the test. If the test shows that the
submeter is inaccurate beyond the tolerances established by law, the
landlord shall repair or replace it. If the test shows the submeter
was indicating more usage than the true amount, beyond established
tolerances, the landlord shall refund the estimated overcharge to the
tenant within 30 days of receipt of the results.
   (c) The landlord shall pay for the cost of the test if either:
   (1) The tenant requests the test because the submeter has
indicated that water usage has increased more than 25 percent for two
consecutive billing periods over the previous three billing periods.

   (2) The submeter is found to be inaccurate beyond the tolerances
established by law.
   (d) The tenant shall pay for the test in all other cases, up to a
maximum of fifty dollars ($50).
   (e) The landlord is not required to test a submeter under
subdivision (b), if the submeter was tested and found accurate within
two years prior to the tenant's request, and the landlord provides
the written results of the test to the tenant. However, the tenant
may require the meter to be tested if the tenant pays in advance for
the entire cost of the test.
   1963.110.  (a) A landlord may impose a late fee of up to 5 percent
for any bill not paid within 20 days of its due date. If the 20th
day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the late fee shall not
be imposed until one day after the extended time for payment.
   (b) (1) Notwithstanding Section 1950.5, if a bill remains unpaid
after the time described in subdivision (a) expires, the landlord
may, in lieu of a late fee, deduct the amount due from the tenant's
security deposit. The landlord may require an additional deposit of
security following a deduction, if the deposit would be otherwise
lawful under Sections 827 and 1950.5.
   (2) The landlord may also deduct a water bill from the security
deposit upon the ending of a tenancy, provided that the last water
bill showing the amount due is attached to the documentation required
by Section 1950.5, and all the other requirements of that section
are met.
   (c) If a bill remains unpaid for 30 days after its due date, the
nonpayment shall constitute a curable breach of a material lease
obligation. The landlord may commence actions to remedy the breach,
as provided in the Code of Civil Procedure.
   (d) Water charges under the chapter shall not constitute rent.
   (e) A landlord shall not shut off the water or otherwise interfere
with the provision of water service to a dwelling unit for any
reason, including nonpayment of a bill assessed pursuant to this
chapter.
   1963.120.  A tenant renting to subtenants may opt not to comply
with this chapter, if the sum total of any separate water charges
assessed to the subtenants does not exceed the amount paid by the
master tenant to the landlord under this chapter.
   1963.130.  In addition to actual damages sustained by the tenant
for a violation of this chapter, the tenant may recover from the
landlord three times the amount of actual damages, a civil penalty
equal to one month's rent, reasonable attorney's fees, and court
costs. However, the landlord is not liable for a civil penalty if the
landlord proves that the violation was a good faith, unintentional
mistake.
   1963.140.  A city, county, or district may enforce this chapter.
   1963.150.  The rights or obligations established under this
chapter shall not be waived. Any purported waiver is void. 
   SECTION 1.   SEC. 2.   Chapter 8.5
(commencing with Section 537) is added to Division 1 of the Water
Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 8.5.  MULTIUNIT STRUCTURES


   537.  (a) The following definitions govern the construction of
this chapter: 
   (1) "Master meter" means a meter that measures water usage for an
entire property or structure, which may include common areas, and is
read by the water purveyor.  
   (2) 
    (1)  "Meter" has the same meaning as "water meter" in
Section 516 of the Water Code. 
   (3) 
    (2)  "Submeter" means a device that measures water
consumption of an individual unit within a  master-metered
structure   multiunit residential structure or mixed-use
residential and commercial structure  , and is read by the
owner of the structure or the owner's agent.
   (b) Structures in all of the following categories shall be exempt
from  the provisions of  this chapter:
   (1) Low-income housing. For purposes of this paragraph,
"low-income housing" means a residential building financed with
low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds,
general obligation bonds, or local, state, or federal loans or
grants, for which the rents of the occupants in lower income
households, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety
Code, do not exceed rents prescribed by deed restrictions or
regulatory agreements pursuant to the terms of the financing or
financial assistance, and for which not less than 25 percent of the
dwelling units within the building are designated for occupancy by
lower income households, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health
and Safety Code.
   (2) Student dormitories.
   (3) Long-term health care facilities, as defined in Section 1418
of the Health and Safety Code.
   (4) Time-share property, as defined in subdivision (aa) of Section
11212 of the Business and Professions Code.
   (c) This chapter does not apply to a structure that is greater
than four stories in height above grade if the owner, or his or her
agent, demonstrates to the satisfaction of the water purveyor that
the structure's plumbing configuration incorporates multiple points
of entry in each dwelling unit and renders the installation of
submeters infeasible.
   (d) A  meter or  submeter used to measure water
supplied to an individual residential unit that is required to be
installed by a water purveyor pursuant to this chapter, shall be of a
type approved pursuant to Section 12500.5 of the Business and
Professions Code, and shall be installed and operated in compliance
with regulations established pursuant to Section 12107 of the
Business and Professions Code.
   538.   (a)    Each water purveyor that sells,
leases, rents, furnishes, or delivers water service to a newly
constructed multiunit residential structure or newly constructed
mixed-use residential and commercial structure for which an
application for a water connection, or more than one connection, is
submitted after January 1, 2014, shall require the installation of a
water meter or submeter to measure the water supplied to each
individual dwelling unit as  a condition of new water service
by doing either of the following:  
   (1) Adopt a general policy to determine when the installation of
either a water meter or submeter to measure water supplied to each
individual dwelling unit shall be required. The water purveyor shall
inform all local building departments within its service area of the
policy. 
    (2)     On an
individual basis, and upon receipt of an application for new water
service to the structure, inform the applicant, and the appropriate
local building department, as to whether a water meter or submeter is
required to be installed to measure water supplied to each
individual dwelling unit in the structure.   a condition
of new water service. 
   (b) (1) If the water purveyor requires installation of submeters
pursuant to subdivision (a), the owner of the structure shall ensure
that each submeter installed complies with all laws and regulations
governing installation, approval of meter type, maintenance, reading,
billing, and testing of water submeters.
   (2) This subdivision does not require a water purveyor to fund or
assume responsibility for ensuring compliance with any law or
regulation governing installation, approval of submeter type,
maintenance, reading, billing, and testing of water submeters and
associated onsite plumbing. 
   (c) A water purveyor shall not charge an owner of a structure, or
his or her agent, a fee, charge, or assessment, either directly or
indirectly, for the installation, approval, connection, or use of a
submeter that is installed by the owner or his or her agent. This
subdivision shall not be construed to restrict the authority of a
water purveyor to collect fees or charges for meters or connection
and installation of meters, or other fees or charges associated with
providing and maintaining water service, as described in the water
purveyor's authorized tariffs or rates.  
   (d) 
    (c)  This section shall not restrict the authority of a
water purveyor to adopt and implement a program for the use of water
meters or submeters for multiunit residential structures or mixed-use
residential and commercial structures that promotes water
conservation, at least as stringently, as the requirements of this
section. 
   539.  Each water purveyor that sells, leases, rents, furnishes, or
delivers water service to a multiunit residential structure or
mixed-use residential and commercial structure that is part of a
common interest development for which an application for a water
connection, or more than one connection, is submitted after January
1, 2014, shall require the installation of a water meter to measure
water supplied to each individual dwelling unit as a condition of new
water service. 
    539.  540.   It is the intent of the
Legislature that this chapter should not be construed to impose costs
on any local government agency, except to the extent that the local
government agency is a water purveyor  subject to subdivision
(a) of Section 538  .
                      
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