HB788: Green Public Buildings Act; created.

HOUSE BILL NO. 788
Offered January 11, 2012
Prefiled January 11, 2012
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 11 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 8, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-1182 and 2.2-1183, relating to the Department of General Services; Green Public Buildings Act.
Patron-- Lopez

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 11 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 8, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-1182 and 2.2-1183, as follows:

Article 8.
Green Public Buildings Act.

§ 2.2-1182. Short title; findings.

A. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Green Public Buildings Act."

B. The General Assembly finds that:

1. Energy costs for public buildings are likely to increase over time.

2. Public buildings can be built and renovated using high-performance methods that save energy costs, preserve the environment, and make workers and students more productive.

C. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Green Globes" means the Green Building Initiative green building rating standard.

"LEED" means the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating standard.

§ 2.2-1183. Building standards; exemption.

A. Any public body entering the design phase for construction of a building greater than 7,500 gross square feet in size, or renovating such a building where the cost of renovation exceeds 75 percent of the value of the building, shall conform to LEED silver or Green Globes two globe standard.

B. For state public bodies, an exemption from the design and construction standards required by subsection A may be granted by the Director of the Department only upon a finding of special circumstances that make construction to the standards impracticable.

C. For local public bodies, an exemption from the design and construction standards required by subsection A may be granted by the local governing body of the locality or school board when circumstances such as marketplace constraints make construction to the standards unreasonable.

2.  That the provisions of this act shall not apply to local public bodies and school boards until July 1, 2013.