Senator Roth Introduces Legislation to Clean up the PACE Licensing Bill

(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) introduced legislation that clarifies important consumer protections omitted in the final hours of the 2017 Legislative session. SB 1087 will better protect consumers who use Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing by ensuring greater public transparency of entities providing these loans.

“PACE programs can be a useful financing tool by allowing California homeowners to make energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes; however stronger consumer protections must be enacted to give control back to homeowners. While legislation passed last year significantly enhances oversight of PACE so that a person’s home doesn’t become a financial tool used against them, there are loopholes that need to be closed,” said Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside). “Abusive solicitors must not only be disciplined quickly as is allowed in 2017’s AB 1284, but the public has a right to be able to access information that shows who is a bad actor.”

This measure proposes both substantive and technical changes to AB 1284 (Dababneh, 2017.) SB 1087 ensures the Department of Business Oversight (DBO) can take immediate action against PACE solicitors deemed unsafe, while also requiring the DBO to maintain a searchable, public list of PACE solicitors who have agreed to or been required to stop soliciting homeowners.

Senator Roth continued: “Last year, the Legislature enacted a comprehensive set of rules to ensure effective oversight of PACE solicitors and PACE solicitor agents. It’s critical to guarantee that this oversight works.”

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Senator Richard D. Roth represents the 31st State Senate District, which includes the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, March Air Reserve Base, Moreno Valley, Norco, Perris and Riverside. Prior to his election, he served for 32 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 2007 in the grade of Major General.