Bill > HB2273

This bill aims to reduce embodied carbon emissions in buildings and building materials by requiring the State Building Code Council to adopt new rules. Embodied carbon emissions refer to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of construction materials, from extraction and manufacturing to transport, installation, and disposal. The bill applies to new construction, additions, and renovations of buildings 100,000 square feet or larger, with an exception for school districts. Projects can comply with these new requirements by either preserving at least 45% of an existing building's structure and envelope, demonstrating a reduction in emissions from specific building products (life-cycle stage A1 to A3), or by conducting a whole building life-cycle assessment that compares the proposed building to a functionally equivalent reference building. The bill also mandates the creation of a public database by the Department of Commerce to track embodied carbon emissions data, along with educational resources and random audits to ensure compliance. The State Building Code Council will also convene a technical work group to recommend modifications to building codes regarding embodied carbon emissions reductions, with specific reduction targets set for the 2030 state building code.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2273&Year=2025&Initiative=false