| TO: | Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Energy Resources |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1862 by Ellis (Relating to state purchasing of certain environmentally friendly items.), As Engrossed |
The bill would amend the Government Code to specify that printers and copy machines purchased must meet or exceed federal Energy Star standards, unless the Comptroller approves a written request for an exemption. In addition, printers and copiers would be required to have duplexing capability, be programmable to default to that mode, and agencies would be required to program duplexing capability machines to default to that mode. The Comptroller would collect data on appliances purchased by state agencies and on the energy efficiency of these appliances.
The bill would require state agencies to purchase lawnmowers or other landscaping equipment powered by propane, natural gas, or electricity unless an agency can justify to the Comptroller that those types of equipment would not meet the required functionality of gasoline or diesel powered equipment.
The bill would require, when feasible, that paint purchased contain zero or low volatile organic compounds; and that certain state agencies purchase carpet, carpet backing, and carpet tiles containing postconsumer recycled content that meets the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Standard.
The bill would repeal Section 2158.301 of the Government Code, of which the provisions of the bill address.
The Facilities Commission and the Preservation Board reported that the bill would have no fiscal implications. The Comptroller of Public Accounts reported that the fiscal implications cannot be estimated, and that energy and other cost savings could be realized due to improved appliance efficiency, but that those impacts cannot be determined.
It is assumed that this bill would not have a significant fiscal implication to the State.
| Source Agencies: | 303 Facilities Commission, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 809 Preservation Board
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, KK, SD, PJK
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