| Type of Measure |
|---|
| Active Bill - In Floor Process |
| Majority Vote Required |
| Non-Appropriation |
| Fiscal Committee |
| State-Mandated Local Program |
| Non-Urgency |
| Non-Tax levy |
| Last 5 History Actions | |
|---|---|
| Date | Action |
| 11/30/22 | Last day to consider Governor's veto pursuant to Joint Rule 58.5. |
| 09/29/22 | In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending. |
| 09/29/22 | Vetoed by the Governor. |
| 08/30/22 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. |
| 08/24/22 | Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 5083.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Governor's Message |
|---|
| To the Members of the California State Senate: I am returning Senate Bill 1144 without my signature. This bill requires public schools and state buildings to complete a water efficiency and quality assessment report on their facilities and create a Legionella Management Program for every building over ten stories high with a cooling tower system. Operating agencies would be required to take various remediation and mitigation actions based on the results. Improving the quality of drinking water in our state's buildings and schools is a priority we share. California's Safe Drinking Water Act tasks the State Water Board with ensuring that public water systems provide uncontaminated, quality, potable water to consumers. The Board regulates water systems; however, oversight of internal plumbing at the individual building level is not a function of the Board. Developing new expertise to adequately implement this bill and develop regulations would require significant new staff and resources. The scope of this bill is broad, including not just public schools, charter schools, and state buildings, but also buildings leased, maintained, and occupied by a state agency. Implementing this policy would result in substantial, ongoing General Fund and Prop 98 costs in the hundreds of millions of dollars not accounted for in the budget. With our state facing lower-than-expected revenues over the first few months of this fiscal year, it is important to remain disciplined when it comes to spending, particularly spending that is ongoing. We must prioritize existing obligations and priorities, and this bill could force state agencies and public schools to choose between its implementation and other critical needs. The Legislature sent measures with potential costs of well over $20 billion in one-time spending commitments and more than $10 billion in ongoing commitments not accounted for in the state budget. Bills with significant fiscal impact, such as this measure, should be considered and accounted for as part of the annual budget process. For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill. Sincerely, Gavin Newsom |