Energy-efficient and sustainable buildings.

(1) The Legislature declares that there is an important state interest in promoting the construction of energy-efficient and sustainable buildings. Government leadership in promoting these standards is vital to demonstrate the state’s commitment to energy conservation, saving taxpayers money, and raising public awareness of energy rating systems.

(2) All county, municipal, school district, water management district, state university, Florida College System institution, and state court buildings shall be constructed to comply with a sustainable building rating system or a national model green building code. This section applies to all county, municipal, school district, water management district, state university, Florida College System institution, and state court buildings the architectural plans of which are commenced after July 1, 2008.

(3) St. Petersburg College may work with the Florida College System and may consult with the University of Florida to provide training and educational opportunities that will ensure that green building rating system certifying agents (accredited professionals who possess a knowledge and understanding of green building processes, practices, and principles) are available to work with the entities specified in subsection (2) as they construct public buildings to meet green building rating system standards. St. Petersburg College may work with the construction industry to develop an online continuing education curriculum for use statewide by builders constructing energy-efficient and sustainable public sector buildings and students interested in the college’s Green/Sustainability Track in its Management and Organization Leadership area of study. The curriculum developed may be offered by St. Petersburg College or in cooperation with other programs at other Florida College System institutions.

(4)(a) All state agencies, county officials, boards of county commissioners, school boards, city councils, city commissioners, and all other public officers of state boards or commissions that are charged with the letting of contracts for public work, for the construction of public bridges, buildings, and other structures must specify in the contract lumber, timber, and other forest products produced and manufactured in this state, if wood is a component of the public work, and if such products are available and their price, fitness, and quality are equal.

(b) This subsection does not apply:

1. To plywood specified for monolithic concrete forms.

2. If the structural or service requirements for timber for a particular job cannot be supplied by native species.

3. If the construction is financed in whole or in part from federal funds with the requirement that there be no restrictions as to species or place of manufacture.

4. To transportation projects for which federal aid funds are available.