The bill amends the Green Buildings Act in Rhode Island to establish a "Green Buildings Act Commission" consisting of seventeen (17) members responsible for overseeing the implementation of high-performance green building standards, such as LEED and SITES, for public major facility projects. This commission will ensure that all public construction projects adhere to sustainable practices, which are essential for obtaining building permits.

The bill modifies the definition of a public major facility project, lowering the renovation threshold from 40% to 20%, and adjusts the commission's composition to include fewer public members while ensuring representation from various sectors, including labor and urban municipalities.

Additionally, the bill outlines the commission's responsibilities, which include making determinations for compliance with the Green Buildings Act, recommending ongoing evaluation processes, and identifying funding needs for public facility projects. It grants the commission the authority to create subcommittees and collaborate with the executive climate change coordinating council regarding the implementation of this chapter.

The bill mandates that public agency requests for proposals related to major facility projects must prominently include notice of the statutory requirements of the Green Buildings Act. Importantly, it includes a liability protection provision for individuals and entities that make a good faith effort to comply with green building standards, even if a project ultimately fails to meet those standards. The act will take effect upon passage.