Legislative Report
June 1999
AB 1626 (Migden)
As Amended April 21, 1999
SUMMARY : Designates the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), and the Western Fire Chiefs' Association Uniform Fire Code (UFC) as the model codes to be used as the basis for the state building code. Specifically, this bill :
1)Defines model code for the purposes of California Building Standards Law (CBSL).
2)Updates the specified list of model codes to recognize that a joint uniform mechanical code is no longer published by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and IAPMO.
3)Provides that with respect to the UMC the model code will be the most recent edition published by IAPMO.
4)Updates the specified list of model codes to recognize that a joint UFC is no longer published by ICBO and the Western Fire Chiefs' Association.
5)Provides that with respect to the UFC the model code will be the most recent edition published by the Association.
6)Updates the specified list of model codes to recognize the change in title of the Uniform Building Code to the International Building Code and the International Residential Code.
7)Excepts from designation Section 103.1.3 of the Uniform Plumbing Code regarding licensing, authored by IAPMO.
8)Clarifies the Building Standards Commission's authority to select a model code for the purposes of the CBSL.
Bill No: SB 1242
Author: Ortiz (D)
Amended: 4/13/99
This bill requires all building structures and facilities that are leased or rented by any municipal, county or state government to be made accessible to persons
with disabilities. Representatives of the blind say that older buildings are
not accessible and local building officials allow buildings to be occupied before building owners install tactile signage. They want building officials to enforce the sign regulations and want to make buildings more accessible.
This bill requires new and existing buildings to comply with accessibility standards when a special district or local or state agency occupies any portion of a building.
This bill requires tactile signage for elevators, rooms, spaces, and functions to be permanently installed before the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or final
inspection when an occupancy certificate is not required.
Bill No: AB 423
Author: Dutra
Assembly Bill 423 requires the installation of fire retardant roofing material (Class A, B, or C) when an existing roof is replaced, repaired, or altered. When a property owner replaces a roof, they can replace a portion each year (less than 50%) and never comply with the new standards. AB 423 closes the loophole by requiring all roofing materials that are used for roof replacement or repairs to meet Class A, B, or C requirements. By requiring the use of Class C or greater roofing materials for all roof replacements, repairs and alterations, AB 423 prohibits the use of untreated wood shakes.
AB 20 Lempert
As Amended: 4/12/99
This bill enacts the Green Oaks Family Academy Elementary School Fire Safety Protection Act. Specifically, this bill:
1)Prohibits the Department of General Services (DGS) from approving school construction or modernization projects unless the projects contain an automatic fire detection and alarm system approved by the State Fire Marshall.
2)Permits the State Fire Marshall to adopt standards for a fire detection and alarm system.
3)Requires the State Fire Marshall, on or before July 1, 2000, to propose, and the State Building Standards Commission to adopt, regulations that require all newly constructed schools to contain automatic fire detection and alarm systems.
4)Specifies that any fire detection and alarm system approved by the State Fire Marshall consist of a combination of smoke or heat detectors installed in each unit of a school building, including attic spaces, and detectors that activate an audible alarm that can be heard throughout the school facility.
5)Authorizes the funding of a school modernization project consisting entirely of the installation of an automatic fire detection and alarm system.
AB 1434 Granlund
As Introduced: February 26, 1999
This bill requires that either the director or one of the deputy directors of CDF shall have a minimum of ten years experience as an officer or employee, or both, of a fire department that has more than 300 employees. These provisions
will apply only to a director or deputy director who is appointed on or after January 1, 2000.
Existing law provides that the Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) is appointed at the pleasure of the Governor and is subject to confirmation by the Senate. Two deputy directors of Forestry are appointed by the director one deputy director is exempt from civil service and one deputy director is not exempt from civil service and must be a registered professional forester.
SB 498 (Schiff)
Amended:As introduced
SB 498 increases the retirement benefit limit for local safety members from 75% to 90% of final compensation for members who retire on and after January 1,
2000. although SB 498 provides the increased benefit is not a local mandate, the bill does specify that any contracting agency subject to this provision will
provide the retirement benefit of 90% of final compensation. In order for the mandate not to apply, the public agency would have to terminate its contract with
CalPERS.
This bill does not change the age factor, but instead extends the limit beyond the current cap of 75%. Consequently, the employee will be required to work longer to obtain the increased benefit. The specific requirements necessary to actually receive the 90% of final compensation benefit depend on the retirement formula that each safety member falls under. For example, for members
under the 2% at age 50 formula, in order to retire at the full 90% allowed by this bill, that member would need at least 33.33 years of service credit and a minimum age of 55. For members that fall under the 2% at age 55 formula,
they would be required to have 45 years of service credit and at least 55 years of age.