SB152 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

George M. “Marc” Keahey

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Public buildings, green building standards, wood products, use of certain forest certification standards

Summary

SB152 would require public-building green standards to use forest certification standards for wood and ensure equal credits for wood certified under major forest certification systems when state funds are involved.

What This Bill Does

It defines forest certification standards (ATFS, SFI, FSC) and green building standards (like LEED, IGCC, Green Globes). If state funds are used for construction or major renovation of public buildings, the green building standard adopted must credit forest-certified wood equally across all recognized forest standards. A major renovation is defined as a project with a budget of 50% or more of the building's replacement cost. The bill applies to public agencies at the state and local level.

Who It Affects

• Public agencies (state and local governments) – must apply green building standards that provide equal credits for wood certified under recognized forest standards when funded with state money.
• Wood product suppliers and forest certification bodies (SFI, ATFS, FSC) – their certification standards would be recognized and treated equally in green building credits.

Key Provisions

• Defines FOREST CERTIFICATION STANDARDS to include SFI, ATFS, and FSC.
• Defines GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS to include LEED, IGCC, Green Globes, and other nationally recognized systems.
• Defines MAJOR RENOVATION as a project with a construction budget equal to 50% or more of current replacement costs.
• Requires that when state funding is used for construction or major renovation, the green building standard cannot be used unless it provides equal certification credits to forest products grown, manufactured, and certified under all recognized forest certification standards (SFI, ATFS, FSC).
• Effective date: in Section 4, the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Building