Bill > HF4702

This bill requires the legislative auditor, a state official responsible for reviewing government spending, to conduct a cost-benefit analysis comparing the current sustainable building guidelines used for state-funded capital projects with specific sustainability-related building standards, codes, or programs. These specific standards include Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ratings, which are a widely recognized green building certification program; 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 relevant legislative committees 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 appropriation is a one-time allocation.