SB 757

  • California Senate Bill
  • 2021-2022 Regular Session
  • Introduced in Senate Feb 19, 2021
  • Passed Senate May 24, 2021
  • Passed Assembly Aug 26, 2021
  • Signed by Governor Sep 23, 2021

Solar energy system improvements: consumer protection.

Abstract

Existing law, the Contractors State License Law, establishes the Contractors State License Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensing and regulation of contractors. Existing law requires the board to receive and review complaints and consumer questions regarding solar energy systems companies and solar contractors and to receive complaints received from state agencies regarding those systems and contractors. Existing law defines the term "home improvement" to include the construction, erection, installation, replacement, or improvement of driveways, swimming pools, including spas and hot tubs, terraces, patios, awnings, storm windows, solar energy systems, landscaping, fences, porches, garages, fallout shelters, basements, and other improvements of the structures or land which is adjacent to a dwelling house. This bill would include solar energy systems, as defined, as an example of types of home improvements in, and would add the installation of those improvements to, that definition. Existing law defines a "home improvement salesperson" as a person who engaged in the business of specified activities related to home improvement, and requires such person to be registered with the board. This bill would authorize a home improvement salesperson to be employed by one or more home improvement contractors and would require a home improvement salesperson, prior to engaging in any activity described as a specified home improvement, to identify to the owner or tenant the business name and license number of the contractor they are representing. The bill would provide that failure to do so is a cause of disciplinary action, as provided. Existing law makes certain actions by home improvement salespersons, including failure to account for or to remit to the employing contractor any payment received in connection with any home improvement transaction, or any other transaction involving a work of improvement, a misdemeanor. This bill would additionally make a misdemeanor an action by a home improvement salesperson to assist, recommend, select, or otherwise guide an owner or tenant in the selection of a contractor for the performance or sale of home improvement goods or services if notification of the salesperson's employment by the home improvement contractor, as specified, has not been received by the board. Existing law requires a representation made by any person licensed under the Contractors State License Law with respect to a trademark or brand name, quality, or size of any goods or materials in reference to certain items and systems, including, but not limited to, bathroom fixtures and paints, to be set forth in writing in the contract or specifications and include a description of the goods or materials, including any brand name, model number, or similar designation. Existing law provides that the failure to install the specific goods or materials as represented constitutes a cause for disciplinary action. This bill would require those licensed persons to also meet the above-described requirements for representations made in reference to a solar energy system. Existing law requires contractors to comply with specified provisions for home improvement contracts, including that except for a downpayment, the contractor is prohibited from requesting or accepting payment that exceeds the value of the work performed or material delivered. Existing law provides that failure to comply with this provision is cause for discipline and is a misdemeanor. This bill would clarify that this prohibition extends to advance payment in whole or in part from any lender or financier for the performance or sale of home improvement goods or services. This bill would make conforming changes. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Sponsors (1)

Votes


Actions


Sep 23, 2021

California State Legislature

Approved by the Governor.

California State Legislature

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 249, Statutes of 2021.

Sep 03, 2021

California State Legislature

Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

Aug 30, 2021

Senate

Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2215.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

Aug 26, 2021

Senate

In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

Assembly

Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 2524.) Ordered to the Senate.

Aug 23, 2021

Assembly

Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.

Aug 19, 2021

Assembly

From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (August 19).

Jul 06, 2021

Assembly

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 19. Noes 0.) (July 6). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  • Committee-Passage
  • Committee-Passage-Favorable
  • Referral-Committee
Com. on APPR.

Jun 22, 2021

Assembly

From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.

  • Amendment-Passage
  • Committee-Passage
  • Reading-1
  • Reading-2
  • Referral-Committee
Com. on B. & P.

May 28, 2021

Assembly

Referred to Com. on B. & P.

  • Referral-Committee
Com. on B. & P.

May 24, 2021

Assembly

In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

Senate

Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 1227.) Ordered to the Assembly.

May 05, 2021

Senate

Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

May 04, 2021

Senate

From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.

Apr 21, 2021

Senate

Set for hearing May 3.

Apr 14, 2021

Senate

Withdrawn from committee.

Senate

Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  • Referral-Committee
Com. on APPR.

Apr 12, 2021

Senate

Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E., U. & C.

  • Amendment-Passage
  • Reading-1
  • Reading-2
  • Referral-Committee
Com. on E., U. & C.

Apr 08, 2021

Senate

From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on E., U. & C. (Ayes 13. Noes 1. Page 670.) (April 5).

Mar 24, 2021

Senate

Set for hearing April 5.

Mar 18, 2021

Senate

Re-referred to Coms. on B., P. & E.D., E., U. & C., and JUD.

  • Referral-Committee
Coms. on B., P. & E.D., E., U. & C., and JUD.

Senate

Referral to Com. on JUD. rescinded because of the limitations placed on committee hearings due to ongoing health and safety risks of the COVID-19 virus.

Mar 10, 2021

Senate

From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.

  • Amendment-Passage
  • Committee-Passage
  • Reading-1
  • Reading-2
  • Referral-Committee
Com. on RLS.

Mar 03, 2021

Senate

Referred to Com. on RLS.

  • Referral-Committee
Com. on RLS.

Feb 22, 2021

Senate

From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 24.

Senate

Joint Rule 55 suspended. (Ayes 32. Noes 4. Page 272.)

Senate

(Ayes 32. Noes 4.)

Senate

Art. IV. Sec. 8(a) of the Constitution dispensed with.

Senate

Read first time.

Feb 19, 2021

Senate

Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
SB757 HTML
02/19/21 - Introduced PDF
03/10/21 - Amended Senate PDF
04/12/21 - Amended Senate PDF
06/22/21 - Amended Assembly PDF
09/01/21 - Enrolled PDF
09/23/21 - Chaptered PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
04/01/21- Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development PDF
05/05/21- Sen. Floor Analyses PDF
07/01/21- Assembly Business and Professions PDF
08/16/21- Assembly Appropriations PDF
08/28/21- Sen. Floor Analyses PDF

Sources

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