Maryland Bill Would Allow State, Jurisdictions to Adopt IGCC
A bill (HB 972) was introduced on February 11 in the Maryland General Assembly that would authorizing the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to adopt by regulation the International Green Construction Code (IGCC). It would also allow local jurisdictions to adopt the IGCC as an alternative to the Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS) and amend the definition of "high performance building" to include a building that complies with the requirements of the IGCC.
Though Rhode Island has previously passed legislation concerning the IGCC, HB 972 would make Maryland to first state to adopt the IGCC on a large scale ahead of the final 2012 IGCC hearings this year. The bill would take effect October 1, 2011.
The bill was approved by the House on March 17 and has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs. A hearing is scheduled for March 24.
More Information: BCAP Maryland Code News | HB 972: Home & Text | USGBC Codes Blog | 2010 MBPS | 2012 IGCC
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