CalTrans increases the use of RAP with passage of AB 812
June 11, 2012Great News! AB 812 (Ma) passed out of committee today. The vote was 11 – 0 when I left. Most importantly, there were 32 members there, representing 24 different companies, that testified in support of the bill! It was a very impressive display. I believe the turnout quashed any thought of opposition from legislators. Assembly Pro Tem Fiona Ma was very thankful for the support—and she personally counted and thanked each person that testified.
Impressively, too, the turnout was from a wide array of CalCIMA membership, including producers and associates, southern and northern California, and concrete and asphalt. It was truly a unified industry event. While the bill now primarily sets a 40% RAP goal, it has also been a vehicle to get Caltrans to move more rapidly on concrete recycle.
Since Caltrans is no longer opposing and with the strong vote from Assembly Transportation, the bill should have good momentum now as it goes through the Legislature. It’s next stop will likely be Assembly Appropriations Committee, and we’ll keep everyone apprised on developments.
The other organizations testifying in support of the bill were the California Asphalt Pavement Association, Associated General Contractors, Southern California Contractors Association, Electrical and Utility Contractors Association, California Construction Trucking Association, and State Council of Laborers.
I know a lot of members took a full day of their time to register their support today. Thank you to everyone that was here!
Charley Rea – CalCIMA