| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
(The second chamber sponsor is Senator Fraser.)
HB 1736, if passed, would modify the Health and Safety Code
(Section 388.003) related to energy efficiency standards. Namely, the bill
would state that future State Energy and Conservation Office energy codes would
be based on the findings of the Energy Systems Laboratories on stringency of
energy code editions. The agency could choose to amend or establish an energy
rating index before adopting the new edition of the index. New editions could be
adopted no more frequently than once every six years. The bill also contains additional specific and technical language regarding Energy Rating Index Zones.
Given that there already exists in code language relating to
the adoption of energy efficiency standards, we find no issue with more
stringent specifics being added to the code. As such HB 1736 would not adversely affect our principles and we remain neutral on this legislation.