By: Ellis  S.B. No. 1862
         (In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2009; March 24, 2009, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Government Organization;
  April 7, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 6,
  Nays 0; April 7, 2009, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to state purchasing of certain environmentally friendly
  items.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 2158.301, Government Code, as added by
  Chapter 939 (H.B. 3693), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2007, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 2158.301.  ENERGY CONSERVATION: APPLIANCES, PRINTERS,
  AND PHOTOCOPY MACHINES.  (a)  Unless the comptroller approves a
  written request from a state agency for an exemption from the
  requirements of this subsection [If available and cost-effective],
  a state agency shall purchase equipment and appliances, including
  printers and photocopy machines, for state use that meet or
  exceed[:
               [(1)     the federal energy conservation standards under
  Section 325, Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. Section
  6295), or a federal regulation adopted under that Act; or
               [(2)]  the federal Energy Star standards designated by
  the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United
  States Department of Energy.
         (b)  A printer or photocopy machine purchased by a state
  agency must have duplexing capability and the ability to be
  programmed to default to double-sided printing or copying.
         (c)  A state agency printer or photocopy machine that has
  duplexing capability shall be programmed to default to double-sided
  printing or copying.
         (d)  The comptroller shall collect data on appliances
  purchased by state agencies and on the energy efficiency of the
  appliances.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 2158, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G.  LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT
         Sec. 2158.351.  PURCHASE OF LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT.  A state
  agency may not purchase a lawnmower or other landscaping equipment
  unless the lawnmower or equipment is powered by propane or natural
  gas or is electrically powered.
         SECTION 3.  Chapter 2166, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter M to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER M.  BUILDING ACCESSORIES
         Sec. 2166.601.  PAINT.  A state agency in the executive
  branch of state government that owns, operates, maintains, or has
  charge and control of a building shall, when feasible, require
  paint purchased for a new facility or for a remodel, repair, or
  renovation project to be a zero or low volatile organic compound
  paint.
         Sec. 2166.602.  CARPET, CARPET BACKING, AND CARPET TILES.  A
  state agency that owns, operates, maintains, or has charge and
  control of a building shall, when feasible, require carpet, carpet
  backing, and carpet tiles purchased for a new facility or for a
  remodel, repair, or renovation project to contain postconsumer
  recycled content that meets the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green
  Label standard.
         SECTION 4.  Section 2158.301, Government Code, as added by
  Chapter 262 (S.B. 12), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2007, is repealed.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
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