As this issue of PM Engineer went to press, controversial California legislation designed to drastically eliminate the lead content of faucets sold in that state was awaiting a final decision by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The California Senate passed the legislation, known as AB 1953, on Aug. 30 by a vote of 21 to 17, with two abstentions. The bill passed the Assembly by a vote of 41 to 35, with three abstentions. If the bill becomes law, the effects on plumbing manufacturers would include the following:

• AB 1953 would initiate a phase-out of lead in plumbing materials for use in public water systems and available to retail consumers and would modify the definition of "lead free"