By Mark Christian and Melissa Barton
Live/Work Units
The AIACC Government Relations team provided an assist to Ric. Abramson, FAIA yesterday while he was in Sacramento testifying in support of AB 565. This bill will require the building standards codes to have updated and more clarification of the definitions of live/work units. The purpose of AB 565 is to create more certainty for those who design and develop these units. Abramson realized the need for this clarification when he designed and developed his own live/work space, and approached his State Assemblyman, Richard Bloom (D – Santa Monica) with a proposed solution. Bloom recently amended Abramson’s solution into AB 565, which was approved yesterday by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee with a 12-0 vote.
You can read the legislative analysis of AB 565 here (read the Senate Transportation and Housing analysis).
Sales Tax on Services
In our May Advocacy Update we reported that the bill to impose a sales tax on services, including architectural services, would have another hearing in June. The hearing date has been changed to August 8. This will be an informational hearing only; no vote will be taken. Even though there will be no vote on whether to impose that sales tax this year, we know this effort is a serious one and likely will return next year with a new legislation.
Limited Liability Partnerships
The good news continues. Our effort with American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), California to extend the sunset date on the law that allows architectural, engineering, and land surveying firms to organize as Limited Liability Partnerships. SB 920 passed the Assembly Business and Professions Committee last week on a 17-0 vote. SB 920 only has a few more votes before it is sent to the Governor for his consideration. We expect the Legislature to send it to Governor Brown in August.
Citizen Architect
The Citizen Architect program is underway. A working group has been assembled to identify the tools needed for architects who are in public service to identify one another. This program will serve as a resource to assist them in carrying out their public duties. Citizen Architect recommendations can be sent to Melissa Barton.
School Bonds
Even though the voters have approved several billion in school facility bonds, and there is a large backlog of projects awaiting funding, Governor Brown has proposed an insufficient sale of school facility bonds. The AIACC has joined the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH), and several business organizations in calling for the release of enough bonds to meet the current needs. Both houses of the Legislature are considering requiring more bonds to be sold than the Governor has proposed, but the coalition is asking for more. CASH has created a site where you can ask your legislators to require to issuance of more bonds. Please go there and let your voice be heard.
Seismic Safety Building Codes
AB 1857 (Nazarian) is making its way through the legislative process. The bill requires the California Building Standards Commission to establish a working group to determine whether California’s building codes should reflect a functional recovery standard which would allow for the reoccupation of buildings after a seismic event. The coalition that has worked to amend the bill to its current form, and that will provide advice to the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Building Standards Commission for their consideration and possible action, includes the AIACC and groups that represent the building industry, property managers and building owners, and realtors.
You can read AB 1857 here, and the legislative analyses here.
Repeal of Gas Sales Tax
The November ballot will include an initiative to repeal the recently enacted gas tax increase. The repeal of this tax would affect infrastructure, some of which would involve architects. Polls show that the gas tax repeal initiative may pass, which would impact the Governor’s plan to improve the state’s infrastructure.
Governor’s Budget
Governor Brown will sign the State Budget June 27. This will be his final budget. The May Budget Revision included funds for infrastructure. We will not know if the line items in the Budget Proposal will survive the Governor’s blue pen until after June 27. An update will soon be posted.
Capitol Annex Remodel
Governor Brown has plans to renovate an antiquated portion of the State Capitol Building. Assembly Rules Committee Chair, Ken Cooley, is spearheading the process and argues that the 66-year-old Annex is not cohesive with the historic building and restricts access to the disabled, and poses other safety hazards. The AIACC discussed this project with Assemblyman Cooley in May, at his request.
An architectural firm was hired to create a planning study for the possible renovations. The report, prepared by CHSQA, states “The new Capitol Annex should strive to be an icon of sustainable design and amongst the most energy efficient Capitol buildings in the nation.” The report encourages lawmakers to consider building a larger structure that would improve safety, expand the workspaces, and offer visitors an educational experience about California government. The report can be viewed here: The website for the Capitol Annex Project is available here.