(a) In this section, “high–performance home” means a new residential structure that meets or exceeds the current version of:
(1) the Silver rating of the International Code Council’s 700 National Green Building Standards; or
(2) the Silver rating of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes Rating System.
(b) The Department shall encourage the construction of new residential structures in the State that are high–performance homes.