BILL NUMBER: AB 888	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Lieu and Laird

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2007

   An act to add Section 18941.7 to the Health and Safety Code,
relating to building standards.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 888, as introduced, Lieu. Green building standards.
   Existing law authorizes state agencies to submit, and requires the
Building Standards Commission to receive and review, proposed
building standards for adoption, approval, publication, and
codification.
   This bill would require state agencies with responsibility for
proposing building standards to the commission to develop those
proposed building standards to ensure that green building elements
are integrated into the standards. The bill would define green
building elements for these purposes and make legislative findings
and declarations.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares the following:
   (a) It is critical to both the economic and environmental health
of the state that the state provide leadership to both the private
and public sectors in the arena of energy efficiency and "green"
construction. The most immediate and meaningful way to do this is to
endeavor to include energy efficiency and green building elements in
all state building code revisions.
   (b) By calling on the state to consider including green building
measures in its building codes, the Legislature provides taxpayers a
benefit through greener, cheaper to operate buildings and
simultaneously helps to develop markets for recycled, recyclable, and
environmentally sound materials.
   (c) Green building goes beyond energy efficiency measures to
include, but not be limited to, using certified sustainable wood
products; aggressive use of high recycled content products;
installation of recyclable carpet, high efficiency lights, and
CFC-free air-conditioning equipment; separation and recycling of
building material waste that occurs during deconstruction,
demolition, and construction; enhancement of indoor air quality by
selection and use of construction materials that do not have chemical
emissions that are toxic or irritant to building occupants;
modification of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to
provide high-quality indoor air; selection of construction materials
made of substantial recycled content; installation of
high-performance solar control glazing; use of recycled water in
interior and exterior plumbing and landscape; and installation of
alternative energy methods for supplemental energy production.
  SEC. 2.  Section 18941.7 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to
read:
   18941.7.  (a) State agencies with responsibility for proposing
building standards to the commission pursuant to this part shall
develop those proposed building standards to ensure that green
building elements are integrated into the standards.
   (b) As used in this section, "green building" elements include the
following:
   (1) Water recycling and conservation measures in interior and
exterior plumbing and landscaping.
   (2) The disposition, recycling, or limitation of construction and
demolition waste.
   (3) The utilization of building materials that contain recycled
materials meeting current building standards, including recycled and
recovered construction and demolition waste, and recyclable carpets.
   (4) The utilization of alternative energy technologies and
products that provide nonquantifiable public benefits even if they
are not cost-effective when compared to conventional technologies and
products, including onsite generation technologies, such as
photovoltaics, fuel cells, or solar heating systems for water and
swimming pool heating purposes.
   (5) Measures to improve indoor air quality.
   (6) Interior office space access to natural daytime lighting.
   (7) The storage and collection of recyclable materials used by
building occupants, including beverage containers, aluminum, paper,
and other materials.
   (8) The installation of wiring, piping, or other infrastructure to
provide for future installation of recharging systems for electric
vehicles, or refueling of alternative fuel vehicles, as appropriate
to the use of the building and potential future demand by fleet
vehicles, employees, or the public.
   (9) Designated parking for alternative fuel vehicles and carpool
vehicles.
   (10) Siting considerations, including urban infill development,
reduced habitat disturbance, and the preservation and restoration of
historic buildings, if applicable.
   (11) Surface runoff filtration and surface runoff reduction from
the building and any new parking structures constructed or renovated
to accommodate the building.
   (12) Bicycle infrastructure, including easily accessible enclosed
locking facilities for bicycle parking, bicycle lockers, showers, and
personal locker facilities.
   (13) The consideration of convenient access to public transit,
including minimal setbacks to accommodate shorter walking distances
from transit stations.
   (14) Construction and demolition debris planning to address debris
from deconstruction of onsite structures and new construction.
   (15) Building commissioning, including testing and monitoring of
building systems operations to ensure that building design and
operation criteria are achieved and maintained.
   (16) The consideration throughout the design and construction
phases of opportunities to reduce each proposal's annual projected
energy consumption.