Sec. 29-256a. Revision of State Building Code. Energy efficiency. Construction standards. Verification.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, on and after July 1, 2010, the State Building Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee, in consultation with the Commissioner of Administrative Services, shall revise the State Building Code to include provisions requiring certain buildings of or over a specified minimum size, that qualify as a new construction or a major alteration of a residential or nonresidential building, to meet or exceed optimum cost-effective building construction standards concerning the thermal envelope or mechanical systems, including, but not limited to, indoor air quality and water conservation, and the lighting and electrical systems of the building. Such provisions shall reference nationally accepted green building rating systems, including, but not limited to, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, the Green Globes USA design program, as established by the Green Building Initiative, the National Green Building Standard, as established by the National Association of Home Builders, or an equivalent rating system approved by the State Building Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee. Such requirements shall include a method for demonstrating compliance at the time of application for a certificate of occupancy, including, but not limited to, private third-party certification or verification of compliance with the relevant portions of such rating systems, including, but not limited to, the energy and environmental portions.