81R38680 MCK-D

By: Hinojosa S.R. No. 1094

R E S O L U T I O N

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, That Senate Rule 12.03 be suspended in part as provided by Senate Rule 12.08 to enable the conference committee appointed to resolve the differences on House Bill 431, (design, construction, and renovation standards for state buildings and facilities), to consider and take action on the following matter:

(1) Senate Rule 12.03(4) is suspended to permit the committee to add the following:

SECTION 3. The heading to Chapter 46, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 46. [ASSISTANCE WITH] INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES AND

ASSISTANCE WITH PAYMENT OF EXISTING DEBT

Explanation: The change is necessary to change the heading of Chapter 46, Education Code.

(2) Senate Rule 12.03(4) is suspended to permit the committee to add the following:

SECTION 4. Chapter 46, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter D to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D. STANDARDS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES

Sec. 46.101. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "instructional facility" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.001.

Sec. 46.102. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES. (a) In this section, "energy office" means the State Energy Conservation Office.

(b) The energy office shall adopt energy efficiency and conservation standards for the design, construction, and major renovation of instructional facilities that school districts may adopt or use to achieve long-term savings in energy and water costs through innovative building techniques.

(c) The standards adopted under Subsection (b) must match high-performance building certification standards that:

(1) are developed and revised through a consensus-based process or by a municipally owned utility in this state;

(2) provide minimum requirements for energy use, natural resources use, and indoor air quality;

(3) require substantiating documentation for certification;

(4) employ third-party, post-construction review and verification for certification; and

(5) the energy office determines are nationally recognized in the building industry, such as:

(A) the Texas Collaborative for High Performance Schools (TX-CHPS) Criteria;

(B) the Green Building Initiative's Green Globes program;

(C) the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System; or

(D) the Austin Energy Green Building Program.

(d) The energy office may update the standards adopted under this section not more frequently than once every three years.

(e) The energy office shall prepare an analysis of the typical initial building costs and projected energy and other savings associated with the implementation of the standards adopted by the energy office under this section. The office shall publish the analysis and make copies available to all school districts in this state.

(f) The energy office shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section.

Sec. 46.103. STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS. The energy office shall, to the extent possible, assist school districts to obtain state and federal funding for implementing the standards adopted under this subchapter.

Explanation: The change is necessary to establish energy efficiency standards and conservation standards for certain school district facilities.

(3) Senate Rule 12.03(4) is suspended to permit the committee to add the following:

SECTION 6. Not later than July 1, 2010, the State Energy Conservation Office shall adopt rules establishing energy efficiency, conservation, and indoor air quality standards for the design, construction, and renovation of public school instructional facilities as required by Section 46.102, Education Code, as added by this Act.

Explanation: The change is necessary to implement the energy efficiency standards and conservation standards for certain school district facilities.

Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, H.B. No. 431 (Lucio III/Hinojosa).