The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "Department" means the department of general administration.

     (2) "High-performance public buildings" means high-performance public buildings designed, constructed, and certified to a standard as identified in this chapter.

     (3) "Institutions of higher education" means the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, the community colleges, and the technical colleges.

     (4) "LEED silver standard" means the United States green building council leadership in energy and environmental design green building rating standard, referred to as silver standard.

     (5)(a) "Major facility project" means: (i) A construction project larger than five thousand gross square feet of occupied or conditioned space as defined in the Washington state energy code; or (ii) a building renovation project when the cost is greater than fifty percent of the assessed value and the project is larger than five thousand gross square feet of occupied or conditioned space as defined in the Washington state energy code.

     (b) "Major facility project" does not include: (i) Projects for which the department, public school district, or other applicable agency and the design team determine the LEED silver standard or the Washington sustainable school design protocol to be not practicable; or (ii) transmitter buildings, pumping stations, hospitals, research facilities primarily used for sponsored laboratory experimentation, laboratory research, or laboratory training in research methods, or other similar building types as determined by the department. When the LEED silver standard is determined to be not practicable for a project, then it must be determined if any LEED standard is practicable for the project. If LEED standards or the Washington sustainable school design protocol are not followed for the project, the public school district or public agency shall report these reasons to the department.

     (6) "Public agency" means every state office, officer, board, commission, committee, bureau, department, and public higher education institution.

     (7) "Public school district" means a school district eligible to receive state basic education moneys pursuant to RCW 28A.150.250 and 28A.150.260.

     (8) "Washington sustainable school design protocol" means the school design protocol and related information developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, in conjunction with school districts and the school facilities advisory board.

[2006 c 263 § 330; 2005 c 12 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Purpose -- Part headings not law -- 2006 c 263: See notes following RCW 28A.150.230.