After a quiet spring recess, California’s legislature returned to session this April with a slew of bills that could impact the state’s pool and spa industry. The legislature faced an April 26 deadline to hear and advance fiscal bills and a May 3 deadline to hear and respond to non-fiscal bills.
Here’s where some of those bills now stand: AB 2113 — Pesticides: This bill proposes changes to existing pesticide regulations. Of interest to the pool and spa industry is a provision that exempts people involved in pool cleaning from needing a pest control operator’s license.
Status: Passed and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
AB 2124 — Swim Lesson Vouchers: Establishes a voucher program to provide free swim lessons to children aged 4 from families with incomes not exceeding 200% of the federal poverty level.
Status: Placed on suspense file. (In California, a bill is placed on suspense if it has a financial impact of more than $150,000 in the Assembly or $50,000 in the Senate.)
AB 2866 — Pool Safety: This bill mandates that child daycare facilities under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Social Services comply with the Swimming Pool Safety Act, requiring daily inspections, and includes daycare facilities operating at private residences.
Status: Passed and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
AB 2993 — Home Improvement: This bill introduces several provisions related to home improvement contracts and financing. If passed, it will prohibit contractors from receiving full payment from a finance lender until they have received written confirmation from the homeowner stating that the home improvement project is completed as per the contract. It also extends cancellation periods for home improvement contracts. Further, it will allow consumers to withhold payment in disputes with contractors, provided they have made a good faith attempt to resolve the dispute, and prohibits lenders from reporting these amounts as delinquent.
Status: Passed and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
SB 552 — Home Inspections: This bill revises the requirements for a home inspector when conducting a home inspection of a private, single-family home with a pool or spa and updates which drowning prevention features may be combined to meet specified safety requirements. Existing law requires an inspector to identify which two of the seven safety features are in place. This bill specifies combinations of safety features that do not satisfy the requirements.
Status: Held at Desk. (A maneuver reserving the right of action on a measure to the full chamber, rather than to a committee. A bill held at the desk is available for immediate consideration.)
SB 1010 — Drowning Prevention: Existing law authorizes certain organizations to provide informational materials related to drowning prevention to public schools for dissemination to parents. Subject to certain constraints, this bill requires such information to be provided no later than the first week of May; that the information provided aligns with the views of expert organizations; authorizes school officials to determine which drowning prevention organizations to work with; and declares that swim instruction is an essential public health service.
Status: Referred to Committee on Education.
SB 1143 — Household Hazardous Waste: This bill would create a producer responsibility program for products containing household hazardous waste and would require a producer responsibility organization to provide a free and convenient collection and management system for covered products. The bill would define “covered product” to mean a product that is flammable, toxic, ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or pressurized, and that meets other specified criteria. Pool chemicals are included in “covered products.”
Status: Placed on suspense file.
