BILL ANALYSIS
By: Strama
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Compact Flourescent Light-bulbs (CFL) and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are more energy efficient and last longer than traditional incandescent or halogen light-bulbs. For example, a 100-watt incandescent light-bulb has approximately the same luminous flux as a roughly 20-watt CFL, and the CFL lasts many years longer and consumes approximately one-fifth as much electricity. By using energy efficient lighting, Texas will save money and reduce the other costs - in terms of pollution and new generation capacity - of electricity consumption.
This bill instructs building managers in state buildings, public schools, and higher education facilities to use the commercially available light-bulbs with the lowest wattage that meets their lighting needs. Building managers are left with complete discretion to choose the “luminous flux,” or light output, that they decide is necessary for any given light fixture. But once they have made that decision to replace the bulb, they must purchase the light-bulb or light fixture that yields that amount of light from the fewest watts – in other words, the light-bulb that uses the least electricity. However, the bill does not instruct building managers to replace bulbs before they die or otherwise need to be replaced.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
This bill amends the Government Code and the Education Code to require: (1) school districts in their instructional facilities, as defined by Section 46.001 of the Education Code; (2) institutions of higher education that are in charge and control of a state building, including education and housing facilities as defined by Section 53.02 of the Education Code; and (3) state agencies that are in charge and control of a state building, when purchasing replacement light bulbs, to use commercially available light bulbs that use the fewest watts for the necessary lighting output and is compatible with the light fixture.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute differs from the original bill by changing the requirement from the point of bulb replacement to the point of bulb purchase, allowing for the use of existing inventory. The substitute also clarifies that building managers need not change fixtures to comply with the mandate, only that they use the most energy efficient option for their existing fixtures.