80R4698 TAD-F
 
  By: Ellis S.B. No. 899
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to design and construction standards for newly constructed
or renovated state buildings, public school facilities, and higher
education facilities.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 2166, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2166.409 to read as follows:
       Sec. 2166.409.  HIGH-PERFORMANCE, SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS FOR RENOVATED OR NEW STATE BUILDING.  
(a)  In this section, "renovation" or "renovated" means a building
renovation project in which the cost of the renovation is more than
50 percent of the value of the building.
       (b)  This section applies to the construction or renovation
of a state building, including a building construction project
otherwise exempt from this chapter under Section 2166.003, except
that this section does not apply to a project constructed by and for
an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003,
Education Code.
       (c)  A building to which this section applies that is being
constructed or renovated must be designed and constructed or
renovated so that the building may be certified to meet or exceed
the silver standard under the United States Green Building
Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
rating system as that standard exists as of September 1, 2007.
       (d)  The commission shall adopt rules for the administration
of this section. The rules may establish an exception to the
application of this section for a type of building if the commission
determines that:
             (1)  the standards described by Subsection (c) do not
apply to that type of building; or
             (2)  there is no practical way to apply the standards
described by Subsection (c) to the design and construction of that
type of building.
       (e)  The commission shall:
             (1)  monitor and document:
                   (A)  each state agency's compliance with this
section; and
                   (B)  any operating savings resulting from the
design and construction or renovation of buildings in accordance
with this section; and
             (2)  not later than September 1 of each even-numbered
year, submit to the legislature and governor a report regarding:
                   (A)  the commission's findings under Subdivision
(1);
                   (B)  any instances in which, and the reasons for
which, a state building was not designed and constructed or
renovated in the manner provided by Subsection (c); and
                   (C)  any recommendations the commission considers
appropriate.
       (f)  Subsection (e) and this subsection expire September 2,
2016.
       SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 44, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 44.902 to read as follows:
       Sec. 44.902.  HIGH-PERFORMANCE, SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN RENOVATED OR NEWLY
CONSTRUCTED FACILITIES.  (a)  In this section:
             (1)  "Instructional facility" has the meaning assigned
by Section 46.001.
             (2)  "Renovation" or "renovated" means a facility
renovation project in which the cost of the renovation is more than
50 percent of the value of the facility.
       (b)  This section applies to a newly constructed or renovated
instructional facility of a school district.
       (c)  A facility to which this section applies that is being
constructed or renovated must be designed and constructed or
renovated so that the facility may be certified to meet or exceed
the silver standard under the United States Green Building
Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
rating system as that standard exists as of September 1, 2007.
       (d)  The agency shall adopt rules for the administration of
this section. The rules may establish an exception to the
application of this section for a type of facility if the agency
determines that:
             (1)  the standards described by Subsection (c) do not
apply to that type of facility; or
             (2)  there is no practical way to apply the standards
described by Subsection (c) to the design and construction of that
type of facility.
       (e)  The agency shall:
             (1)  monitor and document:
                   (A)  each district's compliance with this
section; and
                   (B)  any operating savings resulting from the
design and construction or renovation of facilities in accordance
with this section; and
             (2)  not later than September 1 of each even-numbered
year, submit to the legislature and governor a report regarding:
                   (A)  the agency's findings under Subdivision (1);
                   (B)  any instances in which, and the reasons for
which, a facility was not designed and constructed or renovated in
the manner provided by Subsection (c); and
                   (C)  any recommendations the agency considers
appropriate.
       (f)  Subsection (e) and this subsection expire September 2,
2016.
       SECTION 3.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.0584 to read as follows:
       Sec. 61.0584.  HIGH-PERFORMANCE, SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN RENOVATED OR NEWLY
CONSTRUCTED FACILITIES.  (a)  In this section, "renovation" or
"renovated" means a facility renovation project in which the cost
of the renovation is more than 50 percent of the value of the
facility.
       (b)  This section applies to a newly constructed or renovated
facility of an institution of higher education.
       (c)  A facility to which this section applies that is being
constructed or renovated must be designed and constructed or
renovated so that the facility may be certified to meet or exceed
the silver standard under the United States Green Building
Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
rating system as that standard exists as of September 1, 2007.
       (d)  The board shall adopt rules for the administration of
this section. The rules may establish an exception to the
application of this section for a type of facility if the board
determines that:
             (1)  the standards described by Subsection (c) do not
apply to that type of facility; or
             (2)  there is no practical way to apply the standards
described by Subsection (c) to the design and construction of that
type of facility.
       (e)  The board shall:
             (1)  monitor and document:
                   (A)  each institution's compliance with this
section; and
                   (B)  any operating savings resulting from the
design and construction or renovation of facilities in accordance
with this section; and
             (2)  not later than September 1 of each even-numbered
year, submit to the legislature and governor a report regarding:
                   (A)  the board's findings under Subdivision (1);
                   (B)  any instances in which, and the reasons for
which, a facility was not designed and constructed or renovated in
the manner provided by Subsection (c); and
                   (C)  any recommendations the board considers
appropriate.
       (f)  Subsection (e) and this subsection expire September 2,
2016.
       SECTION 4.  (a) The Texas Building and Procurement
Commission shall establish and appoint members to an advisory
committee to make recommendations to and advise the commission on
the implementation of the design and construction specifications
required by this Act. The advisory committee must include
representatives of:
             (1)  the design and construction industry involved in
public building contracts;
             (2)  the Texas Education Agency;
             (3)  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
             (4)  institutions of higher education; and
             (5)  public school districts.
       (b)  This section expires and the advisory committee is
abolished September 1, 2009.
       SECTION 5.  (a)  The state auditor shall prepare a report
concerning the implementation of the design and construction
specifications required by this Act and shall present the report to
the 82nd Legislature not later than January 15, 2011. The report
must include:
             (1)  the costs of implementing the specifications;
             (2)  the operating savings attributable to
implementing the specifications, including energy and maintenance
savings;
             (3)  any impact on employee productivity and student
performance resulting from implementing the specifications;
             (4)  the effectiveness of the implementation of the
specifications; and
             (5)  any recommendations the state auditor considers
appropriate.
       (b)  This section expires January 16, 2011.
       SECTION 6.  Sections 44.902 and 61.0584, Education Code, and
Section 2166.409, Government Code, as added by this Act, apply only
to the construction or renovation of a facility or building for
which the contract for design services is entered into on or after
September 1, 2007.
       SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.