This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to enhance the state's sustainable building guidelines by modifying the purposes, processes, and agency responsibilities associated with these guidelines. Key changes include the addition of definitions for terms such as "capital project," "major renovation," and "new building," as well as the establishment of new objectives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving indoor environmental conditions, and promoting resilience against climate change. The guidelines will now be mandatory for all new buildings and major renovations receiving state funding after May 1, 2024. Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Administration to develop procedures for guideline administration and to report annually on project compliance and the effectiveness of the guidelines.

The bill also appropriates $1,564,000 for fiscal year 2025 to the Commissioner of Administration for the development and oversight of these sustainable building guidelines, which includes contracting with the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota. The funding is intended to support the implementation of the guidelines, including training for state agencies and project teams, compliance tracking, and performance evaluations. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 16B.325, 16B.335