(a) The State Energy Conservation Assistance Account is hereby created in the General Fund. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, the account is continuously appropriated to the commission without regard to fiscal year.

(b) The money in the account shall consist of all moneys authorized or required to be deposited in the account by the Legislature and all moneys received by the commission pursuant to Sections 25414 and 25415.

(c) The moneys in the account shall be disbursed by the Controller for the purposes of this chapter as authorized by the commission.

(d) The commission may contract and provide grants for services to be performed for eligible institutions. Services may include, but are not limited to, feasibility analysis, project design, field assistance, and operation and training. The amount expended for those services shall not exceed 10 percent of the unencumbered balance of the account as determined by the commission on July 1 of each year.

(e) The commission may make grants to eligible institutions for innovative projects and programs. Except as provided in subdivision (d), the amount expended for grants shall not exceed 5 percent of the annual unencumbered balance in the account as determined by the commission on July 1 of each fiscal year.

(f) The commission may charge a fee for the services provided under subdivision (d).

(g) Notwithstanding any other law, the Controller may use the State Energy Conservation Assistance Account for loans to the General Fund as provided in Sections 16310 and 16381 of the Government Code.

(h) (1) A subaccount is hereby created within the State Energy Conservation Assistance Account to track the award and repayment of loans, including principal, interest, and interest earnings on or accruing to the subaccount, made with moneys transferred to the account from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, the subaccount is hereby continuously appropriated to the commission without regard to fiscal year.

(2) Moneys deposited in the subaccount may be used for loans only for projects in buildings owned and operated by a state agency or entity, including, without limitation, the University of California and California State University.

(3) Notwithstanding Section 39718 of the Health and Safety Code, a repayment of a loan made pursuant to this chapter with moneys transferred from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund shall be deposited in the subaccount and shall be available for a loan made to an entity eligible for these moneys pursuant to this subdivision.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 664, Sec. 5. (AB 1478) Effective September 27, 2014. Repealed as of January 1, 2028, pursuant to Section 25421.)