Bill > H3337

This bill requires the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to implement embodied carbon emission reduction strategies for state-funded construction projects larger than 50,000 square feet. The bill establishes three primary compliance pathways for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in building construction: (1) a performance pathway requiring a whole building life cycle assessment demonstrating at least a 30% reduction in global warming potential compared to a baseline building, (2) a re-use pathway allowing projects that maintain at least 45% of an existing building's structure, and (3) a prescriptive pathway requiring environmental product declarations showing 30% lower embodied carbon across most covered building products. Key covered products include concrete, steel, reinforcing steel, and engineered wood products. The department will create a database of baseline building assessments, collect project data, and conduct biennial reviews to potentially increase reduction targets, with the ultimate goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Verification of compliance will involve documentation and potential inspections, and project data will be anonymously shared with federal databases to track progress. The bill aims to reduce the environmental impact of state-funded construction by focusing on the carbon emissions associated with building materials and construction processes, known as "embodied carbon."

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3337