RELATING TO BUILDINGS.

2024 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 2 co-sponsors

SB 1149 mandates energy benchmarking for state and county buildings, promoting ENERGY STAR standards to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainability efforts.

Carried over to 2024 Regular Session.

#appropriation($) #benchmarkingdata #buildings #energystar #officeofplanningandsustainabledevelopment #reporting #stateandcounites #sustainablebuildingsprogram

Summary of SB 1149 - Relating to Buildings

Bill Number: SB 1149
Introduced On: January 20, 2023
Status: Carried over to 2024 Regular Session
Classification: Bill
Subject Areas: Appropriation ($), Benchmarking Data, Buildings, ENERGY STAR, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Reporting, State and Counties, Sustainable Buildings Program

Purpose and Intent

SB 1149 aims to enhance the sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings within the state. The bill seeks to establish a framework for benchmarking energy performance and promoting the use of ENERGY STAR standards in both state and county buildings. By doing so, the legislation intends to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Key Provisions

Benchmarking Data Requirements: The bill mandates that state and county buildings report their energy usage data. This benchmarking will help identify energy inefficiencies and track improvements over time.

Sustainable Buildings Program: SB 1149 proposes the establishment of a Sustainable Buildings Program, which will provide guidelines and support for implementing energy-efficient practices in building design and operation.

Appropriation of Funds: The bill includes provisions for the appropriation of funds necessary to support the implementation of the Sustainable Buildings Program and the associated reporting requirements.

Collaboration with the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development: The bill emphasizes the role of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development in overseeing the program and ensuring compliance with the new standards.

Affected Parties

State and County Governments: The primary entities affected by this bill are state and county governments, which will be required to comply with the new energy benchmarking and reporting standards.

Building Owners and Operators: Owners and operators of state and county buildings will need to adapt to the new requirements, potentially leading to changes in operational practices.

Environmental and Energy Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on sustainability and energy efficiency may benefit from the increased emphasis on energy performance and the potential for reduced environmental impact.

Procedural Timeline

January 20, 2023: SB 1149 was introduced in the legislature.

January 23, 2023: The bill passed its first reading.

January 27, 2023: The bill was referred to the Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism (EET) Committee, the Public Safety and Military Affairs (PSM) Committee, and the Ways and Means (WAM) Committee.

December 11, 2023: The bill was carried over to the 2024 Regular Session for further consideration.

Related Legislation

HB 654: This bill serves as a companion to SB 1149, indicating a parallel legislative effort to address similar issues related to building sustainability and energy efficiency.

In summary, SB 1149 represents a significant step towards improving the energy efficiency of public buildings in the state, with a focus on accountability and sustainability through established benchmarks and standards.