SB326 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 25, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: George M. “Marc” Keahey
Democrat
Co-Sponsor: Tom Whatley
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Public buildings, green building standards, wood products, use of certain forest certification standards
Summary: SB326 would require green building standards for Alabama public buildings funded by state and local governments to recognize wood certified under recognized forest certification standards (SFI, ATFS, FSC) and to give equal credits to those products.
What This Bill Does
When state funding is used for construction or major renovation, the green building standard chosen must give certification credits equally to forest products grown, manufactured, and certified under all recognized forest certification standards (SFI, ATFS, FSC). Definitions are set for forest certification standards, green building standards, major renovations (50% or more of replacement costs), and public agencies. If a project uses a green building standard that does not provide equal credits to forest-certified wood, that standard cannot be used for the project. The act would become effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

Who It Affects
Public agencies in Alabama (state and local) that fund construction or major renovations: must use green building standards that credit forest-certified wood equally or risk being unable to use certain standards.
Forest certification standard organizations (SFI, ATFS, FSC) and wood product suppliers certified under them: would have credits recognized by the required green building standards for public projects.

Key Provisions
Forest certification standards include the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Green building standards include LEED (USGBC), IGCC, Green Globes, and other nationally recognized high-performance systems.
Major renovation is defined as a project with a budget equal to 50% or more of current replacement costs.
Public funding for construction or major renovation requires a green building standard that gives equal certification credits to forest-certified wood from all recognized standards.
Effective date: first day of the third month after the bill becomes law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Public Building