81R3526 EAH-D
 
  By: Chavez H.B. No. 1762
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to improving state energy conservation, including through
  the use of thermostat settings.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 447, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 447.015 to read as follows:
         Sec. 447.015.  STATE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EXPENDITURES
  DATABASE.  The State Energy Conservation Office shall develop and
  maintain a database of state agency energy consumption and
  expenditures.  The database must be designed to allow any agency to
  determine the agency's energy consumption and expenditures in each
  building occupied by the agency.  The database may include the
  square footage occupied by a state agency in a building.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 2165, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2165.010 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2165.010.  THERMOSTAT SETTINGS IN STATE BUILDINGS.  (a)  
  A state agency or institution of higher education in charge and
  control of a state building shall 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:
               (1)  seasonal temperature changes; and
               (2)  building occupancy schedules.
         (b)  This section does not apply to a building containing
  temperature sensitive operations, including computer and
  laboratory facilities and buildings in which populations live or
  are served on a 24-hour basis.
         SECTION 3.  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, is reenacted and amended
  to read as follows:
         (e)  A political subdivision, institution of higher
  education, or state agency annually shall report to the State
  Energy Conservation Office, on forms provided by that office,
  regarding the entity's efforts and progress under this section.  
  The report must include the entity's seasonal specific thermostat
  settings and thermostat settings for nonpeak or off hours.  The
  State Energy Conservation Office shall provide assistance and
  information to the entity to help the entity meet the goals set
  under this section.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.