Sacramento - Ten measures authored by Assembly Member Jared Huffman passed both houses of the Legislature and eight of them are heading to the Governor’s desk for action, marking the close of a productive legislative session for the Marin and Southern Sonoma County representative.  These important legislative items address pressing issues including: climate change, energy, public health, education, and public safety.  Here is a brief overview and status report of bills Assembly Member Huffman passed out of both houses during the 2007 legislative session:

• AB 1109 - Energy Efficient Lighting
  One of the most important pieces of legislation this year. This bill directs the California Energy Commission to reduce California’s consumption of electricity for lighting uses by 50% in 10 years.  As part of this strategy, would phase out the purchase by state government of inefficient lighting sources.  Also establishes mercury and lead reduction standards for lighting. 
  
  
• AB 1470 - Solar Thermal
  This breakthrough legislation creates a ten-year statewide incentive program to drive half a million California consumers toward solar heating technologies that directly displace the use of natural gas for water and space heating in homes and businesses.
  
  
• AB 28 - Breast Cancer Tax Check-Off Extension
  This important legislation extends the sunset date for the California Breast Cancer Research Fund tax check-off program which is set to expire next year.
  
  
• AB 1743 – San Quentin Condemned Inmate Complex
  This local legislation would direct the Bureau of State Audits (BSA) to prepare an analysis of alternatives for condemned inmate housing at San Quentin. This study will look at the cost-effectiveness of various options for housing death row inmates, while maintaining the lethal injection chamber at San Quentin, upholding current legal protections for condemned inmates, and ensuring the safety of the guards, inmates, and the public.
  
  
• AB 494 - High Performing School Flexibility
  This bill provides much needed flexibility to high performing school districts to utilize their funds to better serve their students, including their lowest performing students.
  
  
• AB 463- Parking for Disabled Persons
  Allows handicap drivers of vehicles with side loading lifts or ramps to use two adjacent parking stalls in private parking lots when existing van accessible handicap parking spaces are occupied.
  
  
• AB 1406- Recycled water - Condos
  This bill encourages water reuse by permitting the use of recycled water in condominiums, as it is currently used in apartment buildings.
  
  
• AB 1560 - Water Conservation - building standards
  Creates an important new standard of water conservation by requiring the Energy Commission to prescribe water preservation standards for new residential and non-residential buildings.

Two other pieces of legislation authored by Huffman, AB 1115 and AB 371, cleared both houses and are awaiting concurrence in Senate amendments by the full Assembly. Both are expected to be sent to the Governor in January.

The Governor has until September 30 to sign or veto these measures.  If he takes no action on a bill by the deadline, it automatically becomes law.  For more information, see http://www.leginfo.ca.gov