(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2)    “ASHRAE” means the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers.

(3)    “Guidelines” means the guidelines for recommended illumination levels in existing public buildings.

(4)    “Public building” means a building owned by the State, a county, or municipal corporation or a unit of the State, a county, or municipal corporation.

(b)    This section applies to each public building that is 10,000 or more square feet in area per floor.

(c)    In conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of Labor shall develop guidelines for recommended illumination levels in existing public buildings in the State 6 months after ASHRAE 100 standards are adopted.

(d)    After approval by the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review, the guidelines shall be published in the Maryland Register and other appropriate media to:

(1)    encourage use of the guidelines; and

(2)    provide standards in accordance with which owners, operators, or both of existing public buildings, including local governments, the Department of General Services, and other governmental units that manage State buildings, may target their energy conservation effort with regard to illumination.

(e)    (1)    In conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Department of Labor shall provide training to local jurisdictions on the application of the guidelines.

(2)    The training may include a program developed by a federal agency or a contract agent.

(f)    The Department of Natural Resources shall assist local jurisdictions to:

(1)    determine the cost–benefit impacts of implementing the guidelines; and

(2)    perform audits of specific buildings or installations to determine lighting performance characteristics and the savings possible through implementing the guidelines.

(g)    (1)    There is an advisory commission on energy conservation in buildings.

(2)    The commission consists of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of Labor.

(3)    The members shall be broadly representative, including representatives from:

(i)    State and local code enforcement agencies;

(ii)    architectural and engineering professions;

(iii)    public utilities;

(iv)    the construction industry;

(v)    legislative bodies of local government; and

(vi)    the public.

(4)    A member of the commission:

(i)    may not receive compensation for service on the commission; but

(ii)    is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations as provided in the State budget.