What's happening
This bill requires new or substantially renovated state-owned buildings in New York with flat roofs to use cool roof materials or methods to improve energy efficiency and reduce heat absorption.
Why it matters
Mandates energy-saving roofing for state buildings. By requiring "cool roof" materials or methods on new or renovated state-owned buildings with flat roofs, the bill aims to significantly reduce energy consumption for cooling, which can lower operating costs for taxpayers.
Targets urban heat and climate resilience. Cool roofs reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, helping to combat the “urban heat island” effect—especially important in densely built environments where state buildings are common.
Promotes diverse, eco-friendly technologies. The amendment explicitly allows for a range of solutions—including white vinyl, reflective coatings, and green roofs—encouraging innovation and adaptation to local needs or preferences.
Sets a precedent for public sector sustainability. By embedding these requirements into law, New York positions itself to lead by example in sustainable building practices, potentially influencing private development and other states’ policies.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Cool Roofs on Buildings
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Cool Roofs on Buildings
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Andrew Hevesi
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
60
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the public buildings law, in relation to authorizing the use of cool roofs on new or substantially renovated state-owned buildings
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The section heading and subdivision 1 of section 83 of the public buildings law, as added by chapter 380 of the laws of 2009, are amended to read as follows:
Agency green building and cool roof construction requirements. 1. [The] (a) For purposes of minimizing the consumption of energy and providing for the efficient utilization of resources expended in the use and occupancy of state buildings, the construction of new buildings and the substantial renovation of existing buildings shall comply with such green construction requirements and procedures as shall have been established by the office in regulations pursuant to subdivision two of this section.
(b) For the purpose of increasing solar reflectance and thermal emittance of agency buildings, new construction of agency buildings with flat roofs or substantial renovation of the roof subsystem of agency buildings with flat roofs shall comply with the cool roof standards and regulations promulgated by the office pursuant to subdivision two of this section. Such standards and regulations shall require the use of materials and/or methods including, but not be limited to:
(i) Inherently cool roofing materials such as white vinyl;
(ii) Coated roofs and white paint based products;
(iii) Green roofs using plant-based materials for insulation cover.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02461-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public buildings law, in relation to authorizing the use of cool roofs on new or substantially renovated state-owned buildings
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to conserve energy through a cool roofs program.
Summary of provisions
This legislation amends the section heading and subdivision 1 of section 83 of the public buildings law, as added by chapter 380 of the laws of 2009, amending the public buildings law relating to establishing the state green building construction act.
Justification
The temperature of a cool roof is lower on hot sunny days than that of a conventional roof, and therefore reduces the energy required to take down the temperature of the building via air conditioning. While dark surfaces absorb the sun's energy and become hot, light-colored surfaces reflect solar energy and stay cooler. Reducing energy loads through simple and cost effective methods, such as cool roofing, will save the state money for the escalating long term costs of energy.
Legislative history
S.2193 of 2015-2016 (Hassell-Thompson): Died in Investigations & Government Operations A.2004 of 2015-2016 (Hevesi): Died in Ways & Means S.3359 of 2013-2014 (Hassell-Thompson): Died in Investigations & Government Operations A.51 of 2013-2014 (Hevesi): Died in Ways & Means S.967 of 2011-2012 (Hassell-Thompson): Died in Investigations & Government Operations (2011)/Died in Rules (2012) A.96 of 2011-2012 (Hevesi): Passed Assembly (2011)/Died in Ways & Means (2012) S.5038C of 2009-2010 (Hassell-Thompson): Died in Finance A.7293 of 2009-2010 (Hevesi) - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.