Bill > AB296

This bill aims to address the "urban heat island effect," which is the phenomenon where developed areas are hotter than surrounding rural lands. It mandates that the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) develop a standard definition for this effect and work with its partners on heat reduction strategies like urban forestry, cool roofs, and sustainable or "cool" pavements. The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will collaborate with CalEPA and other stakeholders on research and development of these sustainable pavement technologies and, upon completion of the urban heat island effect index definition, will create a standard specification for these pavements. This specification will then be considered for inclusion in the California Green Building Standards Code as a strategy to combat the urban heat island effect.