I believe CA requires faucets to have less lead in them. I noticed the price increases. Also, thier new electrical requirements have effected prices for items out here on the east coast (HD has discontinued some items because they don't meet CA electrical codes).

From my own research - a lot of cut and paste.

PLUMBING: These new laws go into effect Jan 1, 2010. SB1334, SB1395 and AB1953 which became the foundation of what is now the updated California Health and Safety Code (Section 116875-116880) in regards to lead content in water for drinking and cooking.

AB-1953

Effective 1/1/10, plumbing products intended for use in potable or cooking water systems shall have less than 0.25% lead content by weighted average of the base materials of the wetted area. The bill prohibits the introduction into commerce of any pipe, pipe or plumbing fitting, or fixture for use in potable or cooking water systems that is not lead free as defined by the code.

SB-1334

Requires that lead free plumbing products as defined in the code be certified by an ANSI accredited independent third party. Testing, at a minimum, shall include testing of materials in accordance with the protocols used by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to meet SB 1395 (below)

SB-1395

Requires the DTSC to select no more than 75 products per year at random for examination and test and to post the results on its website. This law added Section 25214.4.3 to the CA code.

LIGHTING: Title 24 (going green) is being phased in over many years starting in 2001. The new 2008 Title-24 Building Efficiency Standards have been adopted in California and take effect January 1, 2010. One of the most sweeping changes involve residential indoor and outdoor lighting requirements, particularly kitchen lighting and the new adoption of ASHRAE 62.2 indoor air quality code.

New restrictions, control requirements, high efficacy fixture requirements and incandescent allowances, and interior lighting worksheets will add an additional layer of complexity to residential lighting design. A new WS-6R lighting certificate of compliance which must be filled out before the final certificate of occupancy will be issued. Fixtures will comply as high efficacy (not all LED fixtures are certified as high efficacy), the lighting control requirements for each room type and the new fixture and control requirements for residential outdoor lighting.

Changes in Brief:

Title 24 will require high efficacy luminaires, occupancy sensors, and/or dimmers in most spaces:

Kitchens: At least 50% of the total wattage of kitchen lighting must be from high efficacy luminaires. Non-high efficacy luminaires must be switched separately from high efficacy luminaires.
Bathrooms, utility rooms, garages and laundry rooms: High efficacy lighting or manual-on occupancy sensors required.
Exterior, attached to building: High efficacy luminaires or combined photo sensors/occupancy sensors required.
All other interior spaces: High efficacy luminaires, occupancy sensors, OR dimmers required.
Recessed lighting: When installed in insulated ceilings, must be both Type IC (insulated covered) and airtight (AT) rated.
Electronic ballasts: Electronic ballasts are required for all fluorescent luminaires 13 watts or greater.

Hmm. I wonder what happens in kitchens like mine that are under construction and have no sign-offs for the plumbing yet (Feb 2010) and whether or not the faucet needs to be lead-free or not. Another question to ask. Still wondering about the low-flow or not. . .

I did call Rohl about my faucet today. Mine is "lead-free" but not "super-duper-lead-free" per the most recent January 1st 2010 guidelines.

Rohl is also sending a free aerator replacement to reduce my flow rate to "green" standards.