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SB 1263 - Buildings and facilities that are constructed, purchased, leased, enlarged, or renovated with any portion of state funding or funding by a political subdivision shall meet the requirements of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), or the latest subsequent version of the IECC. The act requires that by January 1, 2009, the Department of Natural Resources shall modify the minimum energy efficiency standard for state buildings so that it is at least as stringent as the 2006 IECC rather than the current standard of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90. The act modifies the date to July 1, 2009, by which all design for state buildings involving new construction or substantial renovation and any building considered for purchase or lease by a state agency shall comply with the minimum energy efficiency standard. The act gives counties of the third classification the same authority to adopt a building code as current law provides to counties of the first and second classifications. Any county that adopts an energy code shall make such code at least as stringent as the 2006 IECC, or the latest version of the IECC. The act adds energy codes to the types of technical codes for which certain counties, fire protection districts, and municipalities currently have the authority to adopt by reference. Any energy code adopted shall be at least as stringent as the 2006 IECC, or any subsequent version. Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, every high school in the state shall ensure its students receive instruction in certain environmental-related topics around Earth Day each year. The act creates the Home Energy Rebate Option program, which shall be administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The department shall offer rebates to homeowners who make a certain amount of energy improvements to their homes. The amount of the rebate is specified in the act, but shall not exceed $2,000 per home. Any homeowner accepted in the program shall have a home energy rating conducted upon the participating home by a home energy rater who is certified by the department. The program shall sunset in 6 years unless reauthorized. The Department of Natural Resources shall offer rebates up to $500 for replacement of certain residential components with energy-efficient models. The components shall include natural gas furnaces or boilers, propane and oil furnaces or boilers, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting, windows, insulation, zone heating products, and weatherization systems. No rebate shall exceed the actual purchase and installation cost. Total rebates issued shall not exceed $5 million. Rebate amounts shall vary according to Missouri adjusted gross income levels as described in the act. The department shall issue a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2011 regarding the cost-effectiveness of the rebate program. The program shall sunset in 6 years unless reauthorized. The act creates the Residential Lighting Rebate program, to be administered by the Department of Natural Resources. The department shall provide rebate coupons to participating retailers who shall make the coupons available to customers who purchase certain energy efficient lightbulbs and lighting fixtures. The rebate coupons shall be worth up to $2 for lightbulbs and up to $12 for lighting fixtures. The department shall reimburse the retailers for the amount of rebate coupons redeemed at their stores. The program shall sunset in 6 years unless reauthorized. The act creates minimum energy efficiency standards for certain new appliances and products sold or installed within the state. Exceptions are provided for certain products that are intended to be sold outside the state, installed in manufactured homes, or designed expressly for use in recreational vehicles. The Department of Natural Resources shall promulgate the energy efficiency standards for such products, which shall be at least as stringent as the standards described in the act. The Appliance Energy Efficiency Advisory Group, created in the act, shall advise the department on the development of the standards. The composition of the advisory group is listed in the act. In consultation with the advisory group, the department shall update the minimum energy efficiency standards for the appliances and products at least once every 3 years to keep current with technological advancements. Manufacturers of the appliances and products for which the energy efficiency standards apply shall certify to the department that their products meet the standards. Manufacturers who knowingly certify a product that does not meet the standards shall be subject to a civil penalty up to $10,000 per violation and up to $10,000 per day for a continuing violation. Manufacturers are also required to mark their products as meeting the energy efficiency standards. The department is given authority to enforce the provisions of the energy efficiency standards for appliances and products. The department may test and inspect appliances and products and may charge a manufacturer for the cost of such testing if a product is found not to be in compliance with the standards. Violations of the energy efficiency standards may be referred to the Attorney General for prosecution. First-time violators shall receive a warning and subsequent violations shall be subject to a civil penalty up to $250 per violation. ERIKA JAQUES
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