SF 498 (LSB 2666XS (3) 88)

SENATE FILE 498

BY  CELSI

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for the installation of solar energy systems in state buildings.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  103A.8D  State buildings —— solar energy system requirements.
   1.  For purposes of this section:
   a.  “Solar energy system” means the same as defined in section 441.21.
   b.  “State building” means any building or structure owned by the state or an agency of the state.
   2.  The state building commissioner shall adopt as a part of the state building code a requirement that all new construction of state buildings commenced on or after the effective date of this Act include the installation of solar energy systems to meet a portion or all of the building’s energy needs. A solar energy system installed in a state building pursuant to this section shall include storage capacity for the use of excess energy production when solar energy resources are insufficient. 
    Sec. 2.  DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES STRATEGIC PLAN —— RETROFITTING OF STATE BUILDINGS WITH SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS.  The department of administrative services shall develop a strategic plan regarding the feasibility, timeline, and costs of retrofitting all existing state buildings with solar energy systems by 2030. For purposes of this section, “solar energy system” and “state building” mean the same as those terms are defined in section 103A.8D. The strategic plan shall provide for the retrofitting of existing state buildings with solar energy systems which are either attached or connected to the building, and which include storage capacity for the use of excess energy production when solar energy resources are insufficient, to provide a portion or all of the building’s energy needs. The department shall submit a report on the strategic plan, including any recommendations, to the general assembly by January 1, 2020.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill provides for the installation of solar energy systems in state buildings.
   The bill establishes new Code section 103A.8D, which requires the state building commissioner to adopt a requirement in the state building code that all new construction of state buildings commenced on or after the effective date of the bill include the installation of solar energy systems with storage capacity to meet a portion or all of a building’s energy needs. The bill includes or references definitions for “solar energy system” and “state building”. 
   The bill requires the department of administrative services to develop a strategic plan regarding the feasibility, timeline, and costs of retrofitting all existing state buildings with solar energy systems described in the bill by 2030. The bill directs the department to submit a report on the strategic plan, including any recommendations, to the general assembly by January 1, 2020.