FINAL BILL REPORT

                     SHB 2673

                            Synopsis as Enacted

                                 C 79 L 92

Brief Description:  Concerning residential buildings moved into a city or county.

By House Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Hargrove and Nelson).

House Committee on Housing

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Background:  The state building code and state energy code are comprehensive technical documents that provide minimum standards for the construction, alteration, moving, demolition, repair, use, and energy efficiency of all buildings or structures in the state.  Counties, cities and towns are responsible for enforcement of the state building code and the state energy code.

The state electrical code establishes the electrical wiring requirements for all types of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings or structures.  The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has general responsibility for the development and enforcement of the state electrical code.  Only cities and towns, with L&I approval, may enforce the requirements of the state electrical code.

In 1989, the Legislature revised both the construction and energy standards so that residential buildings or structures moved into or within a county, city or town would not be required to meet all of the requirements of the latest editions of the uniform codes that comprise the state building code and the requirements of the state energy code.  The exemption only applies to moved buildings or structures if: (1) the building or structure meets building or energy codes in effect at the time the building or structure was built; and (2) the original occupancy classification of the building or structure is not changed as a result of the move.

Summary:  Residential buildings or structures that are moved into or within a county, city or town are not required to meet all of the requirements of the latest edition of the state electrical code.  The exemption from the latest code requirements applies to moved buildings or structures if: (1) the building or structure meets the requirement of electrical codes in effect at the time the building or structure was built; and (2) the original occupancy classification of the building or structure is not changed as a result of the move.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 93    0

Senate   41    3

Effective:     June 11, 1992