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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of solar energy in certain state buildings, |
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public school facilities, and higher education facilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 2166, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2166.409 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2166.409. USE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN STATE BUILDINGS. (a) |
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In this section, "solar energy device" means a system or series of |
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mechanisms designed primarily to provide heating or cooling or to |
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produce electrical or mechanical power by collecting and |
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transferring solar-generated energy. The term includes a |
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mechanical or chemical device that has the ability to store |
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solar-generated energy for use in heating or cooling or in the |
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production of power. |
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(b) This section applies to the construction of a new state |
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building and the acquisition of a building by the state, including a |
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building construction project otherwise exempt from this chapter |
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under Section 2166.003. |
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(c) During the planning phase of the proposed construction, |
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the commission, or the governing body of the appropriate agency or |
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institution that is undertaking a project otherwise exempt from |
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this chapter under Section 2166.003, shall include in the |
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construction plans for a new state building the use of a solar |
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energy device. |
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(d) Not later than one year after the acquisition by the |
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state of a building that does not use a solar energy device, the |
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state agency or institution of higher education that has charge and |
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control of the acquired building shall retrofit the building with a |
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solar energy device. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 44, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 44.906 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 44.906. USE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN INSTRUCTIONAL |
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FACILITIES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Instructional facility" has the meaning assigned |
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by Section 46.001. |
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(2) "Solar energy device" means a system or series of |
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mechanisms designed primarily to provide heating or cooling or to |
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produce electrical or mechanical power by collecting and |
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transferring solar-generated energy. The term includes a |
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mechanical or chemical device that has the ability to store |
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solar-generated energy for use in heating or cooling or in the |
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production of power. |
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(b) A school district that constructs a new instructional |
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facility shall include in the construction plans for the facility |
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the use of a solar energy device. |
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(c) Not later than one year after the acquisition by a |
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school district of a building to be used as an instructional |
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facility that does not use a solar energy device, the school |
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district shall retrofit the acquired building with a solar energy |
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device. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.9273 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.9273. USE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN EDUCATIONAL AND |
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HOUSING FACILITIES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Housing facility" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 53.02. |
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(2) "Solar energy device" means a system or series of |
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mechanisms designed primarily to provide heating or cooling or to |
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produce electrical or mechanical power by collecting and |
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|
transferring solar-generated energy. The term includes a |
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mechanical or chemical device that has the ability to store |
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|
solar-generated energy for use in heating or cooling or in the |
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production of power. |
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(b) An institution of higher education that constructs a new |
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educational or housing facility shall include in the construction |
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plans for the facility the use of a solar energy device. |
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(c) Not later than one year after the acquisition by an |
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institution of higher education of a building to be used as an |
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educational or housing facility that does not use a solar energy |
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device, the institution of higher education shall retrofit the |
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acquired building with a solar energy device. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |