Bill Text: CA SB1035 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Senate Bill 1035 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Climate Pollution Reduction in Low-Income Homes: grants.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-27 - Referred to Com. on E., U. & C. [SB1035 Detail]

Download: California-2019-SB1035-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 1035

Introduced by Senator Rubio

February 14, 2020

An act to add Chapter 5.4 (commencing with Section 25440) to Division 15 of the Public Resource Code, relating to energy.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 1035, as introduced, Rubio. Climate Pollution Reduction in Low-Income Homes: grants.

Existing law establishes programs designed to provide long-term reductions in energy consumption by low-income household dwelling units, including assistance for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. The Energy Conservation Act of 2001 requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to establish a grant program to provide financial assistance to eligible low-income individuals for constructing and retrofitting buildings to be more energy efficient by using design elements, including, among other things, the use of products certified by the commission as energy-efficient zone heating products.

This bill would establish the Climate Pollution Reduction in Low-Income Homes Initiative. The bill would require the commission to administer the initiative to provide grants to eligible entities to provide financial assistance to low-income households for the purchase of low-carbon-emitting appliances.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Chapter 5.4 (commencing with Section 25440) is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:

CHAPTER 5.4. Climate Pollution Reduction in Low-Income Homes Initiative

25440.

(a) For purposes of this chapter, “initiative” means the Climate Pollution Reduction in Low-Income Homes Initiative.

(b) (1) The Climate Pollution Reduction in Low-Income Homes Initiative is hereby established. The initiative shall be administered by the commission to provide grants to eligible entities to provide financial assistance to low-income households for the purchase of low-carbon-emitting appliances. At least 75 percent of the moneys made available for the initiative shall be granted to entities that are administering a program funded pursuant to Subchapter II (commencing with Section 8621) of Chapter 94 of Title 42 of the United States Code or Section 16367.5 of the Government Code.

(2) The commission shall develop guidelines for the implementation of the initiative that do all of the following:

(A) Limit eligibility for financial assistance to households, including households in multiunit dwellings, that have an annual household income that is below 60 percent of the statewide median.

(B) Require eligible entities receiving grants to leverage other federal or state funds providing assistance for the purchase of low-carbon-emitting appliances, as appropriate.

(C) Specify criteria for appliances, including water heaters, stoves and cooking appliances, home heating and cooling systems, refrigerator and freezers, and washers and dryers, to be eligible for financial assistance.

(D) Ensure that the initiative provides safe and reliable appliances that stabilize the utility bills of low-income households.

(E) Ensure that the initiative allows low-income households to transition their homes and living spaces to zero-carbon footprints.

(c) An eligible entity receiving a grant may expend funds for outreach and technical assistance, rebates, loans, installation, educational information, and other support services to assist households receiving financial assistance under the initiative and may expend up to 20 percent of each grant on accessory infrastructure, including electrical upgrades.