81R10375 MTB-D
By: Rodriguez H.B. No. 1980
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of solar energy in certain state buildings,
public school facilities, and higher education facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 2166, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2166.409 to read as follows:
Sec. 2166.409. USE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN STATE BUILDINGS. (a)
In this section, "solar energy device" means a system or series of
mechanisms designed primarily to provide heating or cooling or to
produce electrical or mechanical power by collecting and
transferring solar-generated energy. The term includes a
mechanical or chemical device that has the ability to store
solar-generated energy for use in heating or cooling or in the
production of power.
(b) This section applies to the construction of a new state
building and the acquisition of a building by the state, including a
building construction project otherwise exempt from this chapter
under Section 2166.003.
(c) During the planning phase of the proposed construction,
the commission, or the governing body of the appropriate agency or
institution that is undertaking a project otherwise exempt from
this chapter under Section 2166.003, shall include in the
construction plans for a new state building the use of a solar
energy device.
(d) Not later than one year after the acquisition by the
state of a building that does not use a solar energy device, the
state agency or institution of higher education that has charge and
control of the acquired building shall retrofit the building with a
solar energy device.
SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 44, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 44.906 to read as follows:
Sec. 44.906. USE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN INSTRUCTIONAL
FACILITIES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Instructional facility" has the meaning assigned
by Section 46.001.
(2) "Solar energy device" means a system or series of
mechanisms designed primarily to provide heating or cooling or to
produce electrical or mechanical power by collecting and
transferring solar-generated energy. The term includes a
mechanical or chemical device that has the ability to store
solar-generated energy for use in heating or cooling or in the
production of power.
(b) A school district that constructs a new instructional
facility shall include in the construction plans for the facility
the use of a solar energy device.
(c) Not later than one year after the acquisition by a
school district of a building to be used as an instructional
facility that does not use a solar energy device, the school
district shall retrofit the acquired building with a solar energy
device.
SECTION 3. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.9273 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.9273. USE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN EDUCATIONAL AND
HOUSING FACILITIES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Housing facility" has the meaning assigned by
Section 53.02.
(2) "Solar energy device" means a system or series of
mechanisms designed primarily to provide heating or cooling or to
produce electrical or mechanical power by collecting and
transferring solar-generated energy. The term includes a
mechanical or chemical device that has the ability to store
solar-generated energy for use in heating or cooling or in the
production of power.
(b) An institution of higher education that constructs a new
educational or housing facility shall include in the construction
plans for the facility the use of a solar energy device.
(c) Not later than one year after the acquisition by an
institution of higher education of a building to be used as an
educational or housing facility that does not use a solar energy
device, the institution of higher education shall retrofit the
acquired building with a solar energy device.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.