Bill > SF4821

This bill requires the legislative auditor, a state official responsible for independently reviewing government spending and performance, to conduct a cost-benefit analysis comparing the current sustainable building guidelines used for state-funded capital projects (projects paid for with money borrowed by the state, known as general obligation bond proceeds) with several specific sustainability-related building standards, codes, or programs. These include Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ratings, which are a widely recognized system for rating the environmental performance of buildings; American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards and guidelines, which focus on energy efficiency and indoor air quality; Energy Star requirements, a program that identifies energy-efficient products; and the International Green Construction Code, a model code for green building. The legislative auditor can include any other relevant information in this analysis and must submit it to the legislative committees that oversee capital investment by January 15, 2027. Additionally, the bill appropriates a specific amount of money from the state's general fund to the legislative auditor for the fiscal year 2027 to cover the costs of conducting this study, and this funding is designated as a one-time appropriation.