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Sacramento Leaders Pass Law Requiring Solar for New Home Construction

The sun came out for clean energy advocates this year when California state lawmakers determined that beginning in 2020, all new residential buildings up to three stories high must have solar panels.

Already a state known for supporting green technology, this move makes California the leader in energy efficiency. Data shows the Golden State already uses solar for 16 percent of its electricity output, and California even stops production at times to give electricity to other states so the electric grid isn’t overloaded.

Will it benefit new home builders?

For construction companies who want to feel like life is as golden for them as it is for the solar business, there are arguments in both columns. On one hand, they will have to sell or lease a solar-powered system to homebuyers, which raises the average home cost by an estimated $8,000 to $12,000.

The good news? Homebuyers will finance it, especially because they assume they’ll earn back those dollars with the savings on their energy bills. The California Energy Commission estimated that average homeowners in a 30-year loan will likely save $80 a month on heating, cooling and lights.

Liability to construction companies

Another issue with valid arguments in both columns is the liability associated with the new construction mandate. If the challenge thrown at builders isn’t enough, now they must be sure they’re hiring solar contractors who are insured and who will maintain a safe work environment.

Solar contractors face unique challenges when installing solar, such as increased trip/fall hazards. Each time a worker installs a solar panel on a roof, less walking space becomes available.  Workers must also be aware of skylights, vents, hatches and other roof openings.

To keep your team protected, Fusco & Orsini offers a general liability program from an A+++ rated, California admitted carrier.  Solar contractors, click here to request a quote.

And remember…all that glitters isn’t gold, it’s green!

Did you know that 280 people go the emergency room with fireworks-related injuries every day during the month surrounding the 4^th of July? That’s according to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, which publishes an annual report detailing the previous year’s firework-related deaths, injuries and law enforcement activities.

But it’s not just fireworks we have to watch out for during this celebratory time. We must also be careful while grilling outdoors, participating in summer sporting activities, swimming at a friend’s house, and mowing the lawn before a big backyard BBQ.

So what do we have to learn from all of this? There’s a lot of fun to be had during the holiday weekend, but also the potential for injury, even participating in commonplace activities that we might enjoy any weekend during the summer. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 tips for staying safe while having fun.

1. Keep the drinking to a minimum – and be sure alcohol is out of the hands of teens. In past years, teen boys’ alcohol-related trips to the ER doubled on this holiday.
2. Stretch properly before any form of outdoor recreation and wear protective gear – even if it makes you feel silly.
3. Sparklers can burn at a temp of 2,000°F, so please watch your young ones and use the activity as an opportunity to teach fire safety.
4. Keep a bucket of water on hand in case of a fire mishap.
5. Use sunscreen liberally and often.
6. Stay hydrated. If you’re hosting your shindig, try “spiking” your water with cut up fruit or herbs.

Lastly, take it easy. Holidays can be stressful, especially if you are trying to host your own celebration (and thank goodness for homeowners insurance, for keeping our household assets protected!). Remember that it’s all about family and friends and celebrating the spirit of independence. Enjoy!

Attention Fusco & Orsini business clients! 

This is to inform you that there is an important change happening which requires your immediate attention. SB 189 is a new legislation that changed the Labor Code Section 3351. It revises the changes made in 2017 (AB 2883) on Workers Compensation policies.

These changes apply to new and renewal CA policy with effective dates of July 1, 2018 or later.

• There will be a new SB 189 Waiver/Exclusion Form that will be implemented, that will replace the AB 2883 Form. The carriers will be mailing or emailing a copy of the new forms directly to you to sign. If you don’t receive it, please contact our agency ASAP.
• SB 189 allows exclusion of the owners listed below with signed waivers:
  • Corporate Officers and Members of Board of Directors who own at least 10% of the issued and outstanding stock; and are covered by a health insurance policy or health care service plan.
  • Corporate Officers and Members of Board of Directors who own at least 1% of the issued and outstanding stock of the corporation if his or her parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse or child owns at least 10% of the issued and outstanding stock; and is covered by a health insurance policy or health care service plan.
  • An owner of a professional corporation, who is a practitioner rendering professional services for which the professional corporation is organized (i.e. Medical Group, Law Firm, etc.); and stating that he or she is covered by a health care service plan or a health insurance policy.
  • An officer or member of the board of directors of a cooperative corporation organized pursuant to the Cooperative Corporation Law; and stating that he or she is covered by a health care service plan or health insurance policy, and a disability insurance policy that is comparable in scope and coverage to a workers’ compensation policy. The Insurance Commissioner shall determine whether a disability policy is comparable in scope and coverage to a workers’ compensation policy.
  • A person holding the power to revoke a trust with respect to shares of a private corporation held in trust, or general partnership or limited liability company interests held in trust.
  • A general partner of a partnership or managing member of an LLC must execute a waiver to opt out of coverage.

• For those eligible, a signed Waiver/Exclusion Form must be submitted to the carrier for each officer. Please be sure to sign and send the SB 189 Waiver Form. Follow the instructions stated on the waiver/exclusion form. Any prior AB 2883 waiver/exclusion form becomes void by law.
• Carriers will backdate the signed waivers, up to a maximum of 15 days from the date of the receipt and acceptance.
• As a qualified officer, director, managing member or general partner, you must personally file a waiver of coverage to be excluded. If you don’t do so, you will be included in coverage and premium calculations.

Important: If the carrier provides an email address for you to send the signed waiver forms, we strongly advise you to send it through the email they provided. This is an effective way to document, if the carrier claims that he or she did not receive your signed waiver form.

Please be prepared to provide proof of health coverage, as the carrier may request a copy.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office at 858-384-1506. Please make sure to review your renewal with your agents as well.

Thank you.