BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1042
81R3526 EAH-D By: Ellis
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Section 388.005 of the Health and Safety Code requires each state agency and institution of higher education to submit an annual report to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) regarding that entity's efforts and progress regarding energy conservation. State buildings could conserve energy and save taxpayer dollars by using thermostat controls.
As proposed, S.B. 1042 requires SECO to develop and maintain a database of state energy consumption expenditures. The bill also directs entities in control of state buildings to adjust thermostat settings in accordance with the United States Department of Energy's industry standards for energy conservation, resulting in energy savings for the state. Buildings containing temperature-sensitive operations, including computer and laboratory facilities, and buildings in which populations live or are served on a 24-hour basis are exempt. S.B. 1042 also amends the Health and Safety Code to require that the annual reports to SECO submitted by institutions of higher education and state agencies include information on the entities' seasonal specific thermostat settings and thermostat settings for nonpeak or off hours.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 447, Government Code, by adding Section 447.015, as follows:
Sec. 447.015. STATE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EXPENDITURES DATABASE. Requires the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to develop and maintain a database of state agency energy consumption and expenditures. Requires that the database be designed to allow any agency to determine the agency's energy consumption and expenditures in each building occupied by the agency. Authorizes the database to include the square footage occupied by a state agency in a building.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 2165, Government Code, by adding Section 2165.010, as follows:
Sec. 2165.010. THERMOSTAT SETTING IN STATE BUILDINGS. (a) Requires a state agency or institution of higher education in charge and control of a state building to adjust thermostat settings within industry standards for energy conservation, as determined by the United States Department of Energy, to achieve occupant comfort and to correspond to seasonal temperature changes and building occupancy schedules.
(b) Provides that this section does not apply to a building containing temperature sensitive operations, including computer laboratory facilities and buildings in which populations live or are served on a 24-hour basis.
SECTION 3. Reenacts Section 388.005(e), Health and Safety Code, as amended by Chapters 262 (S.B. 12) and 939 (H.B. 3693), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, and amends it as follows:
(e) Requires a political subdivision, institution of higher education, or state agency to annually issue a report to SECO, on forms provided by that office, regarding the entity's efforts and progress under this section and requires that the report include the entity's seasonal specific thermostat settings for nonpeak or off hours.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2009.