Existing law, the State Contract Act, governs the bidding and award of public works contracts by specific state departments and requires an awarding department, before entering into any contract for a project, to prepare full, complete, and accurate plans and specifications and estimates of cost. Existing law, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, designates the State Air Resources Board as the state agency charged with monitoring and regulating sources of emissions of greenhouse gases and requires all state agencies to consider and implement strategies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

This bill would require all new building and major renovation projects larger than 10,000 gross square feet undertaken by state agencies, and for which the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency on or after January 1, 2024, to obtain the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or “LEED” Gold or higher certification, except as provided. The bill would instead require the state agency to obtain LEED Silver certification if the state agency concerned makes a finding that achieving LEED Gold conflicts with critical operational or security requirements, is demonstrably cost ineffective, or conflicts with California Building Code requirements. The bill would authorize certification to an alternative equivalent or higher rating system or standard, if any, only when approved by the Director of General Services.