Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

2.__Model code. After the effective date of rules adopted pursuant to subsection 1, a municipality may not adopt a building energy code other than the model building energy code.__Nothing in this section requires a municipality to adopt a building energy code.__A municipality that has a building energy code in effect prior to the effective date of the rules may continue to keep that code, but if the municipality replaces its energy code it must adopt the model building energy code.

Sec. 7. Commission investigation. The Public Utilities Commission shall examine compliance and enforcement alternatives designed to ensure that residential and commercial buildings are constructed in conformance with statutory building energy codes. In particular, the commission shall examine the funding level and resources required for effective enforcement; possible sources of enforcement funding; which public or private entities could be charged with enforcement authority; the sanctions that could be imposed for violations; the effectiveness of different enforcement alternatives; and means by which energy code enforcement can be integrated with the enforcement of other building codes. In conducting its examination, the commission shall examine compliance and enforcement alternatives used in other states.

The commission shall report the results of its examination, together with any proposed legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities and energy matters by December 31, 2004. The commission's analysis must present the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the examined enforcement alternatives in this State.

Sec. 8. Authority to report legislation. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities and energy matters may report out legislation to the First Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature concerning building energy codes, including but not limited to legislation concerning the application of the model building energy code adopted by rule by the Public Utilities Commission and the enforcement of state building energy standards.

Sec. 9. Effective date. Those sections of this Act that repeal the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, section 1415-C,