20250SB__139898AMD INTRODUCED 2026-02-20 AMENDED_SENATE 2026-03-25 2025 SB AMD Introduced by Senator Rubio LEAD_AUTHOR SENATE Rubio

An act to amend

Section of the Government Code, relating to state buildings. state buildings State agencies: building and renovation projects: Green Globes certification. Existing law requires 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.

Existing law requires state agencies to obtain LEED Silver certification for new buildings or major renovations, as described above, 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. This bill would, as an alternative to obtaining LEED Gold certification as described above, allow building or renovation projects to obtain Three Green Globes or higher certification, as specified.

This bill would, as an alternative to obtaining LEED Silver as described above, allow building or renovation projects to obtain Two Green Globes certification, as specified. The bill would make its requirements apply to projects for which the project schematic design documents are initiated by a state agency on or after January 1, 2027.

Existing law, the California Building Standards Law, continues into existence the California Building Standards Commission (commission) and requires the commission to approve and adopt building standards and to codify those standards in the California Building Standards Code.</xhtml:p><xhtml:p>This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to state buildings.</xhtml:p>"?> MAJORITY NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section of the Government Code is amended to read: 8316. (a)

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), all new building and major renovation projects larger than 10,000 gross square feet undertaken by state agencies shall obtain LEED Gold, Three Green Globes, or higher certification using the version of LEED or Green Globes that is in effect at the time the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency. Certification to an alternative equivalent or higher rating system or standard, if any, is only acceptable when approved by the Director of General Services.

(2) If the state agency concerned makes a finding that achieving LEED Gold or Three Green Globes conflicts with critical operational or security requirements, can be demonstrated to be cost ineffective, or conflicts with requirements in the California Building Code, the state agency shall instead obtain LEED Silver or Two Green Globes certification using the version of LEED or Green Globes that is in effect at the time the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency. (b)

(1) This

section applies to projects for which the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency on or after January 1, 2024.

(2) The amendments made to this

section by the act adding this paragraph shall apply to projects for which the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency on or after January 1, 2027. (

c) For purposes of this section: (1) “Green Globes” means the certification program under the auspices of the Green Building Initiative. (1)</xhtml:p>"?> (2) “LEED” means the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building certification program under the auspices of the United States Green Building Council. (2)</xhtml:p>"?> (3) “Major renovation” is a renovation of a structure in which most of the major building systems are either replaced or upgraded. (3)</xhtml:p>"?> (4) “State agency” does not include a district agricultural association as described in

Part 3 (commencing with

Section 3801) of Division of the Food and Agricultural Code. <caml:Num>SECTION 1.</caml:Num><caml:Content><xhtml:p>The Legislature finds and declares that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to state buildings.</xhtml:p></caml:Content></caml:BillSection>"?>