BILL NUMBER: SB 407	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Padilla

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2009

   An act to add Section 379 to the Water Code, relating to water
conservation.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 407, as introduced, Padilla. Plumbing fixtures: high water use.

   Existing law authorizes public entities that supply water, by the
adoption of an ordinance or resolution pursuant to specified
procedures, to adopt and enforce a water conservation program.
Existing law authorizes these public entities to undertake water
conservation and public education programs using an information
booklet or materials for use in connection with the use or transfer
of real estate.
   This bill would declare that it is the intent of the Legislature
that these public entities exercise authority pursuant to those
provisions to enact ordinances that require the retrofitting of
outdated, high water use plumbing fixtures, and the disclosure
thereof, in connection with the transfer of real estate.
   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.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Adequate water supply reliability for all uses is essential to
the future economic and environmental health of California.
   (b) Developing environmentally sound strategies to meet future
water supply and wastewater treatment needs is key to protecting and
restoring aquatic resources in California.
   (c) There is a pressing need to address water supply reliability
challenges raised by expanding urban areas.
   (d) Urban water agencies, using economic analyses, have identified
urban water conservation as a cost-effective approach to addressing
water supply needs.
   (e) There are many water conservation practices that produce
significant energy and other resource savings that should be
encouraged as a matter of state policy.
   (f) Since the signing of the "Memorandum of Understanding
Regarding Urban Water Conservation in California" in 1991, many urban
water agencies and wastewater treatment agencies have gained
valuable experience that can be applied to produce significant
statewide savings of water, energy, and associated infrastructure
costs. This experience indicates a need to regularly revise and
update water conservation methodologies and practices.
  SEC. 2.  Section 379 is added to the Water Code, to read:
   379.  It is the intent of the Legislature that public entities
exercise authority pursuant to this chapter to enact ordinances that
require the retrofitting of outdated, high water use plumbing
fixtures, and the disclosure thereof, in connection with the transfer
of real estate.