House Bill 863

AN ACT TO PROMOTE THE USE OF THE LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (LEED) GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEM STANDARDS IN PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS; TO ENCOURAGE STATE AGENCIES AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS TO SEEK LEED CERTIFICATION IN NEW AND RENOVATION PROJECTS TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE; TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF CERTAIN WOOD AND BIO-BASED MATERIALS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DEVELOP AN EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM TO INCREASE THE UTILIZATION OF LEED STANDARDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the term "LEED certification" means certification as complying with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System standards relevant to the type of building.

(2) (a) When planning, altering, renovating, constructing and maintaining buildings, state agencies and political subdivisions are encouraged to consider conducting such activities in compliance with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System standards to the greatest extent practicable. Each agency and political subdivision is encouraged to seek LEED certification at the earliest stage of activity and throughout the life of the building.

(b) Each agency and political subdivision is encouraged to use composite wood and agrifiber products if the products are certified as meeting the American National Standards Institute standard requirements for formaldehyde emissions or contain no added urea-formaldehyde. Each agency and political subdivision is encouraged to use renewable, bio-based materials that are either residuals of or products grown or harvested under a recognized sustainable management system such as the Forest Stewardship Council, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program, the American Tree Farm System, the Canadian Standards Association, the Organic Trade Association, and the Association for Bamboo in Construction. Each agency and political subdivision is encouraged to use renewable, bio-based raw materials certified in accordance with certification programs for environmental management. Certification programs include, but are not limited to, the Forest Stewardship Council, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program, the American Tree Farm System, the Canadian Standards Association, the Organic Trade Association, and the Association for Bamboo in Construction.

(3) Each agency and political subdivision is encouraged to include a provision in all leases to emphasize LEED certification.

(4) Each agency and political subdivision is encouraged to expeditiously assess its procurement policies and procedures to ensure the promotion of environmentally sustainable building practices incorporated in LEED standards.

(5) It is the duty of the Department of Environmental Quality, if funds are available, to develop and promote a coordinated outreach and education program to increase public awareness and utilization of LEED certification and standards in the design and construction of commercial buildings.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.