Senate BillChaptered/SignedGovernment
SB 1398: State agencies: building and renovation projects: Green Globes certification.
What SB 1398 does, verified September 29, 2026
This bill allows state agencies to obtain certification for building and renovation projects instead of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certification. The alternative certification options are three or more Green Globes or two Green Globes, depending on the project size. The bill applies to projects initiated by state agencies on or after January 1, 2027. The new certification requirements will replace the existing LEED silver certification for projects over 10,000 square feet. The bill provides an alternative to obtaining LEED gold certification for projects where achieving it conflicts with operational or security requirements, or is cost ineffective.
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Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 709, Statutes of 2026. (2026-09-27)Alert me
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| Sep. 27, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 709, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep. 27, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Aug. 30, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 6 p.m. |
| Aug. 25, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 6521.) Ordered to the Senate. |
| Aug. 25, 2026 | In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
Latest bill textChaptered version, September 27, 2026 · 591 words
Senate Bill No. 1398
CHAPTER 709
An act to amend Section 8316 of the Government Code, relating to state buildings.
[ Approved by Governor September 27, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State September 27, 2026. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1398, Rubio. State agencies: building and renovation projects: Green Globes certification.
Existing law requires all new building and major renovation projects larger than 10,000 gross square feet undertaken by state agencies, and for which the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency on or after January 1, 2024, to obtain the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or “LEED” Gold or higher certification, except as provided. Existing law requires state agencies to obtain LEED Silver certification for new buildings or major renovations, as described above, if the state agency concerned makes a finding that achieving LEED Gold conflicts with critical operational or security requirements, is demonstrably cost ineffective, or conflicts with California Building Code requirements.
This bill would, as an alternative to obtaining LEED Gold certification as described above, allow building or renovation projects to obtain Three Green Globes or higher certification, as specified. This bill would, as an alternative to obtaining LEED Silver as described above, allow building or renovation projects to obtain Two Green Globes certification, as specified. The bill would make its requirements apply to projects for which the project schematic design documents are initiated by a state agency on or after January 1, 2027.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 8316 of the Government Code is amended to read:8316.
(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), all new building and major renovation projects larger than 10,000 gross square feet undertaken by state agencies shall obtain LEED Gold, Three Green Globes, or higher certification using the version of LEED or Green Globes that is in effect at the time the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency. Certification to an alternative equivalent or higher rating system or standard, if any, is only acceptable when approved by the Director of General Services.(2) If the state agency concerned makes a finding that achieving LEED Gold or Three Green Globes conflicts with critical operational or security requirements, can be demonstrated to be cost ineffective, or conflicts with requirements in the California Building Code, the state agency shall instead obtain LEED Silver or Two Green Globes certification using the version of LEED or Green Globes that is in effect at the time the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency.
(b) (1) This section applies to projects for which the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency on or after January 1, 2024.
(2) The amendments made to this section by the act adding this paragraph shall apply to projects for which the project schematic design documents are initiated by the state agency on or after January 1, 2027.
(c) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Green Globes” means the certification program under the auspices of the Green Building Initiative.
(2) “LEED” means the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building certification program under the auspices of the United States Green Building Council.
(3) “Major renovation” is a renovation of a structure in which most of the major building systems are either replaced or upgraded.
(4) “State agency” does not include a district agricultural association as described in Part 3 (commencing with Section 3801) of Division 3 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
Text of SB 1398 as chaptered, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions