Brief Description: Establishing green building programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Romero, Moeller, Upthegrove, Cooper, Simpson, Jarrett, Ruderman, O'Brien, Cody, Linville, Kagi and Chase.

Hearing Date: 2/10/03

Staff: Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

Background:

"Green building" is a term currently used for programs that promote environmental conservation and sustainable development in construction. The concept of green building incorporates development standards and building construction processes that promote resource conservation (including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation features), consider environmental impacts and waste minimization, create a healthy and comfortable environment, reduce operation and maintenance costs, and address issues such as historical preservation, access to public transportation, and other community infrastructure systems.

Green building initiatives have been developed by various federal and state agencies, and green building programs have been established by local governments throughout the United States. Some Washington local governments and builders, including Kitsap County, Clark County, and the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, have implemented green building programs.

A task force on green buildings was created by the 2002 legislature. The task force studied cities and counties that offer green building programs and low-impact development codes to: determine program components that are effective and ineffective; determine incentives and disincentives to implementing a program; study various existing green building standards; and identify potential for low-impact development to reduce storm water management, road building, and other infrastructure costs.

The state Budgeting and Accounting Act defines a major capital project as one whose estimated cost exceeds $5 million. These projects have additional requirements, including the requirement that a predesign be done. The design phase translates the needs, ideas, and proposals identified in the predesign process into plans and specifications for the facility. The current construction process for major projects sometimes takes six or more years; a predesign is completed in one biennium, the design is approved in the next biennium, and construction is done in the third biennium.

Summary of Bill:

The state adopts a policy to incorporate green building principals in the construction and renovation of major facilities by state agencies, public higher education institutions, and local school districts. Any major facility of a state agency, public higher education institution, or local school district whose predesign is initiated after July 1, 2003, must use the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) "silver standard" in design and construction or renovation, except that school districts that use any local funding on the project must meet a lower "certified standard".

A new project over 50,000 square feet or a renovation of that size with a project cost over 50% of the assessed value must be certified through the LEED design certification process. All state-funded projects by state agencies, higher education institutions, and school districts that are not major facilities must include green building principles when practical.

The Department of General Administration must work with affected agencies, institutions, and school districts to develop and implement guidelines for administering the green building policy and develop a process to deliver LEED silver and certified standards. A biennial report must be provided to the legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.