Q: What is SB 969?

A: The State of California recently passed new legislation (SB 969) requiring all new residential garage door openers sold in the state to include battery back-up functionality; the new legislation also requires that any new garage door sold in the state cannot be attached to a non-battery-backup garage door opener.

Q: What is the purpose of the bill?

A: SB 969 was enacted in response to the historic 2017 wildfires in Northern California where several individuals lost their lives because they had lost electrical service during the fire and were unable to open their garage door.

Q: When does SB 969 become enforceable?

A: The legislation becomes effective July 1, 2019.

Q: How does it impact Nice/Linear (Nice North America) sales partners?

A: Our sales partners will not be able to sell garage door openers directly to retail customers in California unless those garage door openers include battery back-up functionality.

Q: What is Nice/Linear doing on its end?

A: Nice North America (NSC) is doing two things internally.  First, we have placed a label on all non-battery backup garage door units noting that they may not be resold in the state of California, nor may they be sold for ultimate installation in California.  Second, Nice is implementing a hold in its order processing system that will prevent the direct sale of any Nice garage door opener lacking the battery backup function to a California address.

Q: What is the fine for failure to comply?

A: For each residential garage door unit installed in California that does not have battery back-up, there is a fine equal to $1,000.  Similarly, for each new garage door that is installed without a battery back-up garage door opener, there is also a fine equal to $1,000

Q: Can I purchase a non-battery backup outside California and install in California?

A: No.

Q: Can a distributor or other dealer buy a non-battery backup unit and transport/ship through California for installation outside of California?

A: Yes.

Q: Can a consumer still buy replacement/repair parts for existing non battery backup units?

A: Yes.

Q: Are non-battery-backup units already installed in California still under their original warranty?

A: Yes.  The original warranty for already installed non-battery backup units will be honored as currently drafted.

Q: Which garage door operator models include the battery backup feature or are battery backup capable?

A: Products that include this feature are:

• LDCO800 (requires purchase of a separate battery backup module – BBU)
• LDCO850
• LDCO852
• PDS800 (requires purchase of a separate battery backup module – BBU)
• PDS Ultra 900B