FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5677

                          C 343 L 95

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Clarifying building code and structure requirements.

Sponsors:  Senators Roach, Haugen and Winsley; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Senate Committee on Government Operations

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background:  The state building code consists of a series of uniform national codes adopted and updated by industry groups which are adopted in Washington by reference.  The review and selection of national uniform standards is done by the Building Code Council.  A local building official may request an opinion from the Building Code Council.

Changes in uniform standards, in nomenclature, in paragraph references and in federal law require periodic amendment of state statutes.  In specific, the Uniform Mechanical Code has been reformatted, changing chapter references; the Uniform Fire Code and Uniform Fire Code Standards are now published by the International Fire Code Institute; the definition of structures for the state energy code has been modified; the Americans with Disabilities Act modified certain references governing handicapped access; the Building Code Council definition of value in determining whether a substantial remodel or substantial rehabilitation has occurred has changed from assessed value to actual value; and the chapter regulating safety glazing has long been duplicated and in conflict with uniform national glazing standards in the building code.

Summary:  Nomenclature, paragraph references and grammatical errors are corrected in the statutes relating to building codes.  The definition of a substantial remodel or rehabilitation for purposes of the handicapped access law is changed from 60 percent of assessed value to 60 percent of value. The chapter on safety glazing standards is repealed.  Any official charged with the duty to enforce the enumerated building codes may request an opinion from the Building Code Council.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    48 0

House     80 15 (House amended)

Senate        (Senate refused to concur)

House         (House refused to recede)

Senate        (Senate refused to concur)

House         (House refused to recede)

Senate    47 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 23, 1995