School facilities: heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.

Assembly Member Rivas proposes new reporting requirements for school heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems through legislation that would mandate annual inventory submissions to California's Department of Education. The measure applies to school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools.

The bill builds upon existing ventilation and filtration standards for educational facilities. Current law requires schools to maintain HVAC systems that meet minimum ventilation rates specified in the California Building Standards Code, with exceptions for older systems that cannot safely achieve these standards. Schools must also install air filters meeting appropriate Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV) based on their system capabilities. Under the new requirements, schools would document their HVAC systems' specifications and any modifications made to meet these standards in yearly reports.

The legislation also directs the California Building Standards Commission and Division of the State Architect to develop mandatory standards for classroom carbon dioxide monitors during the next update of state building codes. While the University of California system would only need to comply if its Board of Regents opts in through a formal resolution, other higher education institutions including California State University and community colleges remain subject to the existing HVAC requirements. The Commission on State Mandates would determine whether schools receive state reimbursement for costs associated with the new reporting duties.