HF 2521

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/08/2016 04:13pm

A bill for an act
relating to school construction; establishing a task force on green school
construction; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin GREEN SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, "green school" means a
school that is designed, constructed, and operated to:
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new text begin (1) reduce the environmental impact of the school's physical infrastructure and
operation;
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new text begin (2) protect the health of students and staff by minimizing their exposure to harmful
chemicals; and
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new text begin (3) expand student awareness of the workings of the natural environment through
the curriculum and the design and operation of the school campus.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioners of administration and education shall
jointly appoint members of the Green School Construction Advisory Task Force as follows:
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new text begin (1) one member each from the Departments of Education, Administration, Health,
and Commerce;
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new text begin (2) one member from the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University
of Minnesota;
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new text begin (3) one member from the U.S. Green Building Council's Minnesota chapter;
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new text begin (4) one member from the American Institute of Architects Minnesota chapter's
Committee on the Environment;
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new text begin (5) one member with expertise regarding the availability and efficacy of green
building materials;
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new text begin (6) one member with experience in financing sustainable infrastructure; and
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new text begin (7) up to ....... additional members with expertise on issues relevant to green school
construction, as determined by the commissioners.
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new text begin (b) Members of the task force shall be compensated for task force activities as
specified under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.
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new text begin (c) The commissioners of administration and education shall convene the task force
no later than July 15, 2016.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Charge. new text end

new text begin The task force shall evaluate options for the state to require or
provide incentives to promote the construction of green schools. The task force shall:
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new text begin (1) review and evaluate approaches other states have taken with respect to promoting
green schools, including the degree of flexibility given to schools to employ green
building techniques;
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new text begin (2) analyze the costs and benefits of:
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new text begin (i) pursuing official certification of new school buildings under Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED), the Collaborative for High-Performance Schools
(CHPS) 2014 criteria, and similar certifications, including the monetary costs and the
length and complexity of the administrative process required to obtain certification; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) developing Minnesota-based construction guidelines or requirements composed
of elements from LEED and CHPS and other existing certification organizations, and
other guidelines, including, but not limited to, the International Green Construction Code
and Greenguard Gold certified products; and
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new text begin (3) recommend options the state should consider to implement a program promoting
green school construction, including any legislation that would assist in implementation.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Staffing; activities. new text end

new text begin (a) The Department of Administration shall serve
as staff to the task force.
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new text begin (b) The task force may use funds appropriated under this section to contract for
services to complete the activities required under this section.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2017, the task force shall submit a report
containing its findings and recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the senate and house of representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over
education and energy.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of administration for the purpose of completing the report
required under this section.
new text end