(Laird D) State agencies: building and renovation projects: LEED certification.

Current Text: Amended: 3/13/2023

Status: 10/7/2023-Approved by the Governor. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 395, Statutes of 2023.
4/17/2023-April 17 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file.

Summary: Existing law, the State Contract Act, governs the bidding and award of public works contracts by specific state departments and requires an awarding department, before entering into any contract for a project, to prepare full, complete, and accurate plans and specifications and estimates of cost. Existing law, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency charged with monitoring and regulating sources of emissions of greenhouse gases and requires all state agencies to consider and implement strategies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

This bill would require all new building and major renovation projects larger than 10,000 gross square feet undertaken by state agencies, and for which the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency on or after January 1, 2024, to obtain the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or “LEED” Gold or higher certification and to qualify for at least the minimum points achievable for rainwater management, as described. The bill would authorize certification to an alternative equivalent or higher rating system or standard, if any, only when approved by the Director of General Services.