HB2485eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2485 Engrossed LRB103 30887 HLH 57418 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Mechanical Insulation Energy and Safety Assessment Act.

Section 5. Legislative Findings. The General Assembly finds that the State has an interest in decreasing the carbon footprint of publicly owned buildings. The General Assembly also finds that it is the public policy of this State to ensure that all Illinois residents can use publicly owned buildings for employment, educational purposes, and social services, free from harmful mold and bacteria. This Act is created in recognition of the important role that mechanical insulation plays in lowering operating expenses, reducing energy loss, and decreasing emissions.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Board" means the Capital Development Board.

"Mechanical insulation" means insulation materials, facings, and accessory products that are applied to mechanical systems including piping, equipment, vessels, HVAC, boilers, and other similar equipment including maintenance on cooling system piping for corrosion of equipment.

"Mechanical insulation energy and safety assessment" means an assessment that analyzes potential energy savings and any potential public health risks according to the specifications of a building's mechanical equipment.

"Public building" means any structure in the State that is owned in whole or in part by the State of Illinois.

"Qualified mechanical insulation contractor" means a mechanical insulation contractor who is an active participant in an apprenticeship program approved by the United States Department of Labor.

Section 15. Mechanical insulation energy and safety assessments.

(a) For the purpose of moving the State closer to its 100% clean energy goal, the Board shall contract with a qualified mechanical insulation contractor on a commission basis to perform a mechanical insulation energy and safety assessment of every public building within 10 years after the effective date of this Act. The assessments' findings shall include any and all remediation measures necessary to bring the subject mechanical insulation system up to Code, as defined in Section 10 of the Energy Efficient Building Act, and to ensure that the system functions at a specific operating temperature to minimize energy loss and ensure public health and safety.

(b) The findings shall be a matter of public record and shall be posted on the Board's website no later than 30 days after the completion of the assessment. In addition, the Board shall file with the General Assembly an annual report outlining the assessments completed in the previous calendar year. The reports shall be filed by December 31 of the calendar year after the calendar year in which the assessment is performed.

(c) If the mechanical insulation energy and safety assessment identifies mechanical insulation remediation measures that would result in a reduction in the carbon footprint for the subject building of more than 30% and a cumulative energy savings for the subject building of more than 30%, then the State shall enter into a contract for those mechanical insulation remediation measures within 12 months after the publication of the assessment findings on the Board's website. If any public health or safety concerns are identified in the mechanical insulation energy and safety assessment, then those concerns are deemed to be a hazard to the public health and safety and shall be contracted out for immediate remediation. Any construction performed under this subsection, as well as any ancillary construction performed during the remediation process, shall be subject to the Prevailing Wage Act.