Solid waste: recycled asphalt.

Under existing law, it is the policy of the state to conserve and protect resources by encouraging the recycling of solid waste and the purchase of those recycled materials, including recycled concrete and rubberized asphalt concrete. Under existing law, in purchasing any materials to be used in paving or paving subbase for use by the Department of Transportation or any other state agency that provides road construction and repair services, the State Procurement Officer is required to make contracts available for those items that use recycled materials. Existing law also requires the State Procurement Officer to make contracts available that use crumb rubber, as defined, unless the Director of Transportation determines that the use of the materials is not cost effective based on specified factors. This bill would authorize the Department of Transportation, by January 1, 2014, to establish specifications for the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) of up to 40% for hot mix asphalt mixes. The bill would specify that this authorization does not limit the authority of the department to establish specifications for this use of reclaimed asphalt pavement in amounts greater than 40%. The bill would require the department to submit a report to the Legislature, by March 1, 2016, on its progress, since the year 2011, toward the development and implementation of these specifications.