80R3871 SLO-D

By: Anchia H.B. No. 999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the adoption of energy efficiency and conservation standards for the design, construction, and renovation of public school instructional facilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 46, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 46. [ASSISTANCE WITH] INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES AND

ASSISTANCE WITH PAYMENT OF EXISTING DEBT

SECTION 2. Chapter 46, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER D. STANDARDS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES

Sec. 46.101. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "instructional facility" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.001.

Sec. 46.102. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES. (a) In this section, "office" means the State Energy Conservation Office.

(b) The office shall adopt energy efficiency and conservation standards for the design, construction, and major renovation of instructional facilities to enable school districts to achieve long-term savings in energy and water costs through innovative building techniques.

(c) The standards adopted by the office must meet or exceed guidelines established as of September 1, 2007, under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System and must include:

(1) criteria relating to:

(A) sustainable site selection and development;

(B) water savings and energy efficiency;

(C) environmentally preferred building materials; and

(D) indoor environmental quality; and

(2) a weighted point system under which the design, construction, or renovation of an instructional facility is required to attain a minimum cumulative number of points relating to the standards adopted by the office under this section, to provide each school district with flexibility in choosing an instructional facility design that meets the district's needs.

(d) A school district that constructs a new instructional facility or conducts a major renovation of an existing instructional facility shall ensure that the instructional facility meets the standards adopted by the office under this section.

(e) The office may update the standards adopted under this section not more frequently than once every two years. A standard adopted under this section does not become effective until the first anniversary of the date on which the standard was adopted.

(f) The office shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section. The office shall coordinate with the commissioner in adopting the rules.

SECTION 3. Not later than January 1, 2008, the State Energy Conservation Office shall adopt rules establishing energy efficiency and conservation standards for the design, construction, and renovation of public school instructional facilities as required by Section 46.102, Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.