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Second Substitute H.J.R. 1

Representative Mark A. Wheatley proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS JOINT RESOLUTION

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Mark A. Wheatley

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Karen W. Morgan

             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 schools in the state of Utah that
             11      promote a healthy environment for students, as well as being energy efficient in their
             12      operation and development.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This resolution:
             15          .    encourages the Utah State Board of Education to consider the broader application of
             16      the design and construction practices for healthy, energy-efficient schools, both for
             17      new construction and major renovation projects undertaken with school district
             18      funds; and
             19          .    encourages school districts to consider sustainable practices that can be incorporated
             20      effectively into school construction and operation.
             21      Special Clauses:
             22          None
             23     
             24      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             25          WHEREAS, deteriorating school infrastructure and poor indoor environmental quality


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


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