A Brief Snapshot From Sacramento
CAL SMACNA’s advocacy staff and Legislative Committee (including Bay Area members Mike Pence, Lisa Tuck, Duane Davies, Mitch Hoppe and Sean O’Donoghue) worked hard during the 2023-2024 legislative session to protect and improve conditions for signatory contractors in the sheet metal industry.
In addition to the various bills and regulations, the committee worked to increase awareness of ventilation and IAQ needs in public schools, the need for new statewide school facility bonds and why additional employer mandates on businesses in California are harmful.
CAL SMACNA continued its work with SMART and the CA Energy Commission on the implementation of the AB 841 CalSHAPE program to assess ventilation, improve filtration and install C02 monitors in K-12 schools. The funding for this ventilation assessment program has now grown to over $900M and is available only to those contractors who employ TABB and MATT certified technicians along with a skilled and trained workforce for modifications, replacement and/or repairs.
The Legislature and Governor approved of this HVAC-specific program because of the increasing awareness that HVAC isn’t just about comfort anymore; it’s about health and safety in our buildings. On the heels of California adopting this program, the federal government has provided billions in subsidies and tax credits for HVAC ventilation system nationwide.
A shout out to SMACNA, who has helped tremendously with lobbying of the 117th Congress and White House to generously fund these programs, as well as elevating public awareness of the IAQ problem in modern buildings through WeAreWhatWeBreathe.com.
Several of our high priority bills were “Held for Consideration in 2024,” necessitating our continued vigilance in the coming year. We are pleased, however, that the Governor used his veto power on anti-employer bills that made it to his desk in 2023.
KEY CALIFORNIA BILLS DURING 2023
AB 247: Transitional Kindergarten Through Community College Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2024
This measure places a $14B school facility bond before the state’s voters, to be used to construct and modernize our schools and community colleges, including HVAC and ventilation.
POSITION: Support | STATUS: Held for consideration in 2024
AB 377: California Career Technical Education Incentive Grant Program: Strong Workforce Program
This measure increases the annual grants for high-quality CTE programs from $300M to $450M beginning in FY 2024-25.
POSITION: Support | STATUS: Held for consideration in 2024
AB 524: Discrimination: Family Caregiver Status
This bill would prohibit employment discrimination on account of family caregiver status as a civil right, making it more difficult for CA employers to manage shifts and dramatically increasing litigation costs.
POSITION: Opposed | STATUS: Vetoed
SB 795: Energy: Electronic Statewide Compliance Documentation Data Repository
This bill would have improved building documentation and code enforcement through a statewide registry.
POSITION: Support | STATUS: Held for consideration in 2024
SB 799: Unemployment insurance: Eligibility For Benefits
This measure would have allowed striking workers to collect unemployment after striking for two weeks, increasing costs disproportionately on signatory contractors.
POSITION: Opposed | STATUS: Vetoed
SB 830: Public Works: Prevailing Wages On
Offsite Duct Fabrication
This measure requires all non-standard duct manufactured offsite for public works to be completed under prevailing wages. CAL SMACNA had concerns about enforcement and documentation.
POSITION: Opposed | STATUS: Held for consideration in 2024