General Assembly Committee Bill No. 6401, introduced in the January Session of 2023, is an act concerning the use of low embodied carbon concrete in state construction projects. The bill defines "low embodied carbon concrete" as concrete with reduced global warming potential compared to industry averages and specifies that it should be used in state construction projects where feasible and within ten percent of the cost of traditional concrete, provided it aligns with public safety. The Commissioner of Administrative Services is tasked with revising specifications for concrete to prefer low embodied carbon concrete for projects administered by the Department of Administrative Services.

The bill also amends Section 13b-20n and Section 13a-95 of the general statutes, effective October 1, 2023. These amendments require the Commissioner of Transportation to give preference to bidders using low embodied carbon concrete when awarding contracts for certain public building projects, provided it is feasible and consistent with public safety. The bill establishes that the Commissioner of Transportation should adopt regulations that include criteria for evaluating bidders, which now should include a preference for those using low embodied carbon concrete. Additionally, the bill outlines the process for submitting bids for state highway or bridge projects, stating that preference should be given to bids that propose the use of low embodied carbon concrete. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2023, and amends the specified sections accordingly.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill:
GAE Joint Favorable:
File No. 528:
TRA Joint Favorable: