Monterey Conference Center
Monterey, California
Thursday, January 22, 2009
8:00 a.m.-9:50 a.m.

Presiding:
Lisa Muetterties, Chair,
Kim Boda, Vice Chair
Phyllis Carmichael, Vice Chair

Terry Wunderlich, Committee Liaison
Karen O'Brien, Rural Forum Chair

C.A.R. Staff:
Elizabeth Gavric, Legislative Advocate

I.     Opening Comments and Mission Statement: Chairwoman Muetterties

II.    Discussion Item - Title: Anniversary Inspections and Upgrades Instead of Point of Sale IBP

III.    Discussion/Information Items
A.  Legislative Update - More Bills To Be Announced at Meeting
1.  AB 25 (Gilmore) Surface Water Storage - This bill would compel the legislature to complete environmental reviews for proposed surface water storage projects to expedite construction.
2.  AB 49 (Feuer) Water Conservation: urban water use - This bill will outline the approach the state will use to achieve a 20% reduction in urban water use by 2020.

B.  Regulatory Update
1.   California Air Resources Board (ARB) Climate Change Draft Scoping Plan. - This document outlines the plan to lower the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to meet the 2020 limit of 1990 level emissions output. C.A.R. is currently working to remove the recommended approach of using Point of Sale to achieve energy efficiency upgrades in existing homes. C.A.R. has submitted formal comments speaking against Point Of Sale to the Air Board and is continuing to address this issue in stakeholder meetings.

2.   California Department of Water Resources (DWR), Water Plan Update 2009. - C.A.R. is actively participating in the Advisory Committee, Land Use Subcommittee and Urban Water Use Efficiency Subcommittee of this process, which will outline all aspects of water planning for California.  As the Advisory Committee worked on defining the Plan goals, objectives and implementation strategies, environmental interest groups have stepped up to recommend the implementation of water savings retrofit measures at Point Of Sale. C.A.R. is actively recommending alternative strategies and speaking against Point Of Sale in this process.

3.   California Energy Commission (CEC) Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Program. - The CEC is required to establish regulations for a Home Energy Rating Systems Program to certify home energy rating services in California. C.A.R. is actively speaking against the Energy Commission's suggested use of Point Of Sale as the mechanism by which home energy ratings would be performed in California homes.

4.   State Water Board (SWB/SWRCB) 20X2020. - The objective of the "20-by-2020" Plan is to increase sustainable potable water supplies available statewide to meet existing and future beneficial uses by increasing recycled water use and achieving a 20 percent reduction in per capita water use statewide by 2020. The 20X2020 Team consists of five state agencies: Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, California Energy Commission, Department of Public Health, and California Public Utilities Commission. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, a federal agency, is also participating on the team.  C.A.R. is actively participating in stakeholder meetings and has submitted formal comments speaking against the use of Point of Sale to achieve water use efficiency upgrades and retrofits in the existing housing stock.

5.  State Water Board (SWB/SWRCB) Onsite Wastewater Disposal System Regulations (AB 885). - C.A.R. has submitted formal comments on the proposed regulations and the draft Environmental Impact Report to the State Water Board. A Red Alert has also been dispatched to encourage local REALTORS® to attend meetings and workshops around the state to speak out against the proposed regulations and the deficiencies of the Environmental Impact Report. Final comments are due to the State Water Board by February 9, 2009. If you have any further questions, please see or email C.A.R. staffer Elizabeth Gavric: elizabethg@car.org.

C.  The 2009 California Legislature - What to Expect

D.  Report from REALTOR® Committee on Air Quality – Carol Banner

E.  Report from Rural Forum - Karen O'Brien

F.  Land Use and Environmental Committee Open Forum - NEW!
The Land Use and Environmental Committee Leadership invites and encourages you to bring forth any land use or environmental issues that are currently of issue for you and/or your community.  We are interested in an open discussion with REALTORS® sharing their concerns, viewpoints and experiences dealing with land use and environmental issues and how these issues are affecting transactions and/or private property rights in your region.

IV.    Other

V.    Adjournment