Brief Description: Adding an ex officio member to the building code council.

Sponsors: Representatives Romero, Veloria and Wallace; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Hearing Date: 1/14/04

Staff: Kiki Keizer (786-7109).

Background:

The State Building Code Council is responsible for reviewing proposed statewide amendments and proposed or enacted local amendments to the State Building Code. The State Building Code comprises uniform building, mechanical, fire, and plumbing codes, as adopted in and amended by the State Building Code Council, as well as rules and regulations adopted by the State Building Code Council to make buildings and facilities accessible to physically handicapped and elderly persons.

The State Building Code Council is made up of 15 voting members and five ex officio nonvoting members.

The 15 voting members include: two county-elected legislative body members or elected executives; two city-elected legislative body members or mayors; one local government building code enforcement official; one local government fire service official; seven persons representing various building professions and trades specified by statute; one person with a physical disability representing the disability community; and one person representing the general public. At least six of the fifteen voting members live east of the Cascade mountains.

The five ex officio nonvoting members include: two members of the house of representatives (one from each caucus); two members of the senate (one from each caucus); and an employee of the electrical division of the department of labor and industries.

Summary of Bill:

The ex officio, nonvoting membership of the State Building Code Commission is increased from five to six members, with the addition of the State Director of Fire Protection.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.