SB 777

This bill requires the Department of Safety and Professional Services to create

a stretch energy code working group, which is required to establish a stretch energy

code.

Under current law, DSPS promulgates rules setting design requirements for

construction and equipment for the purpose of energy conservation in public

buildings and places of employment (commonly known as the “energy conservation

code”). In general, a local unit of government is prohibited from enacting or enforcing

an ordinance establishing minimum standards for constructing, altering, or adding

to public buildings or buildings that are places of employment unless that ordinance

strictly conforms to applicable DSPS rules.

The bill requires the stretch energy code working group to establish the stretch

energy code, which must have separate components for commercial and residential

buildings and must establish minimum energy efficiency requirements that may

exceed the requirements of the energy conservation code. The bill provides that any

county, city, village, or town may by ordinance adopt the residential or commercial

components of the stretch energy code, or both, and make the adopted requirements

of the stretch energy code applicable within the county, city, village, or town.