Bill Text: CA AB2200 | 2025-2026 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Controlled environment horticulture space: thermal curtains.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Engrossed) 2026-08-04 - Read second time. Ordered to third reading. [AB2200 Detail]
Download: California-2025-AB2200-Amended.html
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
April 13, 2026 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 2200
| Introduced by Assembly Member Hart |
February 19, 2026 |
An act to add Section 18944.22 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to building standards.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2200, as amended, Hart.
Controlled environment horticulture space: thermal curtains.
Existing law, the California Building Standards Law, establishes the California Building Standards Commission within the Department of General Services. Existing law requires the commission to approve and adopt building standards and to codify those standards in the California Building Standards Code. Existing law requires the commission to publish, or cause to be published, editions of the code in its entirety once every 3 years. Existing law requires the responsibility for the enforcement and administration of building standards to remain in the state or local agency, as specified.
This bill, notwithstanding any other law, would require a controlled environment horticulture space, as defined, that uses single-paned glass windows and
either thermal curtains, shade cloths, or equivalent technologies, to be considered compliant under the California Energy Code. Code, provided that the Energy Commission makes a finding that the arrangement is as, or more, energy efficient than current regulations. The bill would require that provision to remain in effect until the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code. The bill would also require the commission to, commencing with the next triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code and in consultation with after development of a standard by the Energy Commission and the Department of Food and Agriculture, develop and
Commission, adopt building standards to allow controlled environmental horticulture spaces or conditioned greenhouses to use alternative technologies, such as thermal curtains, thermal screens, shade cloths, or equivalent technologies, in lieu of the requirements for double-paned glass windows or two 2 or more glazings separated by either air or gas glazing. By increasing the duties of local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by
this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Controlled environment horticulture spaces, including commercial greenhouses, play an important role in boosting California’s agricultural economy, providing a reliable food supply year round, and producing more crops with less land.
(b) The California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), including the California Energy Code (Part 6 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), establishes important requirements to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
(c) Existing prescriptive
requirements mandating double-paned glass windows or insulated glazing are not well-suited for do not account for the variety of greenhouse structures, where other designs may achieve similar efficiencies while preserving light transmission and cost-effectiveness cost-effectiveness, which are critical to successful operations.
(d) Thermal screens are widely recognized technologies that can significantly reduce heat loss, conserve energy, and lower operating costs for greenhouse facilities, while maintaining the level of light transmission necessary for plant health.
(e)Providing greenhouses with the flexibility to use other equivalent technologies, such as thermal screens, as an alternative to double-paned windows will reduce costs, encourage sustainable agricultural practices, and support the continued growth of California’s agricultural sector without compromising energy efficiency goals.
SEC. 2.
Section 18944.22 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:18944.22.
(a) For purposes of this section, all of the following definitions shall apply:(1) “Controlled environment horticulture space” means a building space dedicated to plant production by manipulating indoor environmental conditions, including through electric lighting, irrigation, mechanical heating, mechanical cooling, or dehumidification.
(2) “Thermal screen” means a retractable or fixed insulating barrier designed and manufactured to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency in greenhouse structures.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a controlled environment horticulture space that uses single-paned glass windows and either thermal curtains, thermal screens, shade cloths, or equivalent technologies shall be considered compliant under the California Energy Code (Part 6 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations). Regulations), provided that the Energy Commission makes a finding that the arrangement is as, or more, energy efficient than current regulations.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall remain in effect until the next triennial update of the California Building Standards
Code.
(c) The commission shall, commencing with the next triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations), in consultation with after the development of a standard by the Energy Commission and the Department of Food and Agriculture, develop Commission, and adopt building standards to allow controlled environmental horticulture spaces or conditioned greenhouses to use
alternative technologies, such as thermal curtains, thermal screens, shade cloths, or equivalent technologies, in lieu of the requirements for double-paned glass windows or two or more glazings separated by either air or gas glazing.
