SB 5509-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Finds that public buildings can be built and renovated using high-performance methods that save money, improve school performance, and make workers more productive. High-performance green buildings are proven to increase student test scores, reduce worker absenteeism, and cut energy and utility costs.

Declares an intent that state-owned buildings and schools be improved by adopting nationally recognized standards for high-performance green buildings and allowing flexible methods and choices in how to achieve those standards.

Declares an intent that public agencies and public school districts shall document costs and savings to monitor this program and ensure that economic, community, and environmental goals are achieved each year, and that an independent performance review be conducted to evaluate this program and determine the extent to which the results intended by this act are being met.

Requires that all major facility projects of public agencies receiving any funding in a state capital budget shall be designed, constructed, and certified to at least the LEED silver standard.

Requires public agencies and public school districts to monitor and document ongoing operating savings resulting from major facility projects designed, constructed, and certified as required under this act.

Provides that public agencies shall report annually to the department on its major facility projects and operating savings.

Directs the department to create a high-performance buildings advisory committee comprised of representatives from the design and construction industry involved in public works contracting, personnel from the affected public agencies responsible for overseeing public works projects, the state board of education, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and others at the department's discretion to provide advice on implementing this act.

Provides that, among other things, the advisory committee shall make recommendations regarding an education and training process and an ongoing evaluation or feedback process to help the department and the state board of education implement this act.

Provides that the joint legislative audit and review committee, or its successor legislative agency, shall conduct a performance review of the high-performance buildings program established under this act.

Requires the performance audit to include, but not be limited to: (1) The identification of the costs of implementation of high-performance building standards in the design and construction of major facility projects subject to this act;

(2) The identification of operating savings attributable to the implementation of high-performance building standards, including but not limited to savings in energy, utility, and maintenance costs;

(3) The identification of any impacts of high-performance buildings standards on worker productivity and student performance; and

(4) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the high-performance building standards established under this act, and recommendations for any changes in those standards that may be supported by the committee's findings.

Directs the committee to make a preliminary report of its findings and recommendations on or before December 1, 2010, and a final report on or before July 1, 2011.