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First Substitute H.J.R. 1

Representative Mark A. Wheatley proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
GREEN SCHOOLS JOINT RESOLUTION

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Mark A. Wheatley

             5     
Senate Sponsor: ____________

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This joint resolution of the Legislature encourages the Utah State Board of Education
             10      and Utah's school districts to consider ways to establish green schools in the state of
             11      Utah.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This resolution:
             14          .    encourages the Utah State Board of Education to consider the broader application of
             15      the design and construction practices for green schools, both for new construction
             16      and major renovation projects undertaken with school district funds; and
             17          .    encourages school districts to consider sustainable practices that can be incorporated
             18      effectively into school construction and operation.
             19      Special Clauses:
             20          None
             21     
             22      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             23          WHEREAS, deteriorating school infrastructure and poor indoor environmental quality
             24      threaten the health, well-being, and achievement of students and staff in the state's public
             25      schools;


             26          WHEREAS, green schools are schools that create a healthy environment that is
             27      conducive to learning, while saving money, energy, and resources;
             28          WHEREAS, green schools create an environment that supports student learning
             29      through improvements in site selection, daylighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort,
             30      acoustics, and classroom design, all of which have an impact on a child's ability to learn and a
             31      teacher's ability to teach;
             32          WHEREAS, the benefits of superior air quality, a key emphasis of green schools, have
             33      been linked to lower asthma rates, fewer allergies, reduced absenteeism, and increased teacher
             34      retention rates;
             35          WHEREAS, according to the United States Green Buildings Council, green schools
             36      consume an average of 30% to 50% less energy compared to conventional schools;
             37          WHEREAS, green schools cost less to operate, utilize durable materials, and greatly
             38      reduce water and energy use, which generates significant cost savings;
             39          WHEREAS, green schools provide an educational experience that transcends the
             40      classroom by creating a host of opportunities for curriculum innovation and hands-on,
             41      project-based learning in which the building itself becomes an interactive teaching tool; and
             42          WHEREAS, new schools currently under construction are on track to be among the
             43      first energy net-zero K-12 schools in the nation:
             44          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
             45      encourages the Utah State Board of Education to consider the broader application of the design
             46      and construction practices for green schools, both for new construction and major renovation
             47      projects undertaken with school district funds.
             48          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages school districts to
             49      consider sustainable practices that can be incorporated effectively into school construction and
             50      operation.
             51          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah State
             52      Board of Education, and to the school boards of the state's 41 school districts.


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