The following process will govern balloting of credits, credit categories, cross-credit issues, and rating systems in the LEED program:
- The LEED Steering Committee approves the release of any LEED action for comment.
- The USGBC Board approves the release of the action for comment and balloting.
- The proposed action will be made available to the public on the USGBC web site. Current members of USGBC in good standing will be notified of the comment period and announcements will be sent to appropriate publications.
- Web-based comments will be accepted within a thirty to sixty day comment period. The comment form will require respondents to reference specific paragraphs or sections and will include provisions for submitting substantive and procedural comments.
- A period of no less than thirty days will be allowed to collate comments and draft revisions in response to comments. Similar comments may be aggregated, along with explanations of how any differences were resolved. The LEED Steering Committee will approve revisions to the product or item.
- An annotated draft highlighting any further changes made to proposed action will be posted on the web site along with a summary of public comments and responses. Comments on the changes to the proposed action only will be accepted for a period of fifteen days.
- Changes to credit language that result in reverting back to the original USGBC ballot-approved form shall be included in any additional public comment periods unless otherwise decided by the LEED Steering Committee.
- Subsequent comments on the changes to the proposed action will be considered for incorporation into the ballot draft within sixty days.
- At its discretion, on the basis of substantive or procedural comment, the LEED Steering Committee may remand any part or the whole of the proposed action back to the originating committee/membership for an additional comment period repeating steps 3-7 as it deems necessary.
- Members will receive an email notification of the ballot. The proposed action will be accompanied on the web site by commentary with the changes highlighted.
- Thirty days will be provided for members to cast votes on the ballot with one vote allowed for the USGBC primary liaison.
- A minimum of two-thirds affirmative vote of votes cast will be required for an action to pass. A quorum of ten percent of USGBC members will be required.
- An announcement of the ballot results will be made to the membership within four weeks.
- If within fifteen days of the announcement of the ballot results any party raises a procedural issue with the ballot, they may file an appeal to the Board (see procedural appeals policy below).
- If the action passes, publication and implementation follows. If the action fails, it may be resubmitted for ballot at a later date.
- An item may be withdrawn by the USGBC Board or the LEED Steering Committee at any time during the above-described process.
Appeals Procedures
Procedural Appeals
When an appeal is made to the Board regarding any procedural issue, the Board or its designated committee will address the appeal and respond either with a conclusion on the issue or a statement of intention to pursue the subject further within 45 days of receipt. The appeal must be in writing and must state the nature of the objection(s) and proposed remedial actions.
General Appeals
The Board may decide to remand any part or the whole of the balloted credit or rating system back to the LEED Steering Committee, to the originating committee/membership for an additional comment period or ballot repeating any of steps 3-7 as it deems necessary. The Board may mandate procedural changes in repeating any steps to respond to the appeal.
First approved by the Executive Committee on March 25, 2003.
Revisions approved by the USGBC Board of Directors on September 12, 2008.