The California Spa & Pool Industry Education Council (SPEC), a lobbying firm, has sponsored A.B. 2409 in an attempt to separate pools and spas from the definition of “waterfeature” in the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. The bill passed the state Assembly’s Water Parks and Wildlife Committee at its April 13 hearing. Across the country, New Jersey beaches soon may be smoke-free. Three bills that would ban smoking on Jersey’s shores have been proposed — one focuses solely on state-owned beaches; the others mention shorelines run by municipalities, parks and other public entities. Insiders think the bills may be condensed into one proposal as they pass through the state Senate.