(a)

(1) The department, with the approval of the board, may from time to time revise and amend the state minimum standard codes either on its own motion or upon recommendation from any citizen, profession, state agency, or political subdivision of the state. Upon approval by a majority of the board, each such amendment, modification, or new provision shall be held to be in full force and effect as if it were included in the original adopted code. Prior to the adoption of any proposed amendment, modification, or new provision, the department shall conduct such public hearings as are required by Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act," for the adoption of rules. Such public hearings shall be conducted at such places, on such dates, and at such times as may be determined by the department.

(2) Revisions of or amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code shall not become effective without the approval of the Division of Energy Resources of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. The department shall consult with the division during the revision or amendment of such code and shall submit such revisions or amendments to the division for approval at least ten days prior to the adoption thereof.

(3) The department shall make copies of amendments to codes available to members of the general public at such price as it deems reasonable to defray the costs of publication and handling. Notice of amendments to or adoption of a new edition of any state minimum standard code which is applicable state wide shall be provided by the department to the chief elected official and the chief building enforcement official of a municipality or county and to the chief fire official of each fire department certified pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 25 at least ten days prior to the effective date of such amendments.

(4) The revision or amendment of any of the state minimum standard codes shall have reasonable and substantial connection with the public health, safety, and general welfare.

(b)

(1) The department, with the approval of the board, may adopt a new edition of any state minimum standard code either on its own motion or upon recommendation from any profession, state agency, or political subdivision of this state. Upon approval by a majority of the board, each new code edition shall be held to be in full force and effect as if it was the original adopted code. Prior to the adoption of any new edition of a state minimum standard code, the department shall conduct such public hearings as are required by Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act," for the adoption of rules. Such public hearings shall be conducted at such places, on such dates, and at such times as may be determined by the department.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act," or any other provision of law, the department shall not be required to make available or to distribute any copies of a new edition of a state minimum standard code adopted by the department.

(c)

(1) On or before July 1, 2012, the department, with the approval of the board, shall amend applicable state minimum standard codes to require the installation of high-efficiency cooling towers in new construction permitted on or after July 1, 2012.

(2) As used in this subsection, the term "cooling tower" means a building heat removal device used to transfer process waste heat to the atmosphere.

(3) The standards related to high-efficiency cooling towers shall include without limitation the minimum standards prescribed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 90.1 as adopted and amended by the department.