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 quality, and promoting resilience to climate change. The guidelines will now be mandatory for all new buildings and major renovations receiving general fund appropriations after May 1, 2025. 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 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to support the development and administration of these sustainable building guidelines, including funding for the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota. The guidelines will be reviewed and updated periodically, with a focus on ensuring that projects meet the established sustainability goals. Furthermore, recipients of direct appropriations for capital improvement projects will be required to comply with the sustainable building guidelines, with support available from the Commissioner of Administration and the Department of Commerce. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

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