BILL REQ. #:  H-4167.2 

Read first time 01/13/10.   Referred to Committee on Local Government & Housing.

     AN ACT Relating to membership on the state building code council; and amending RCW 19.27.070.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 19.27.070 and 1995 c 399 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     There is hereby established a state building code council, to be appointed by the governor and subject to confirmation by the senate. If a member is not confirmed by the senate by the end of the first full regular legislative session following the appointee's appointment, that appointee's position is considered vacated.
     (1) The state building code council shall consist of fifteen members((,)):
     (a) Two ((of whom shall)) members must be county elected legislative body members or elected executives ((and));
     (b) Two ((of whom shall)) members must be city elected legislative body members or mayors((.));
     (c) One ((of the members shall)) member must be a local government building code enforcement official ((and));
     (d) One ((of the members shall)) member must be a local government fire service official((. Of the remaining nine members,));
     (e) One member shall represent general construction, specializing in commercial and industrial building construction;
     (f) One member shall represent general construction, specializing in residential and multifamily building construction;
     (g) One member shall represent the architectural design profession;
     (h) One member shall represent the structural engineering profession;
     (i) One member shall represent the mechanical engineering profession;
     (j) One member shall represent the construction building trades;
     (k) One member shall represent manufacturers, installers, or suppliers of building materials and components;
     (l) One member ((shall)) must be a person with a physical disability and shall represent the disability community; and
     (m) One member shall represent the general public.
     (2) At least six of these fifteen members shall reside east of the crest of the Cascade mountains.
     (3) The council shall include: Two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house, one from each caucus; two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, one from each caucus; and an employee of the electrical division of the department of labor and industries, as ex officio, nonvoting members with all other privileges and rights of membership.
     (4)(a) Terms of office shall be for three years, or for so long as the member remains qualified for the appointment.
     (b) The council shall elect a member to serve as chair of the council for one-year terms of office.     
     (c) Any member who is appointed by virtue of being an elected official or holding public employment shall be removed from the council if he or she ceases being such an elected official or holding such public employment.
     (d) Any member who is appointed to represent a specific private sector industry must maintain sufficiently similar employment or circumstances throughout the term of office to remain qualified to represent the specified industry. Retirement or unemployment is not cause for termination. However, if a councilmember enters into employment outside of the industry he or she has been appointed to represent, then he or she shall be removed from the council. If after thirty days from the date of the new employment, the member remains on the council, any vote taken by the council is null and void.
     (5) Before making any appointments to the building code council, the governor shall seek nominations from recognized organizations which represent the entities or interests ((listed)) identified in this ((subsection)) section. ((Members serving on the council on July 28, 1985, may complete their terms of office. Any vacancy shall be filled by alternating appointments from governmental and nongovernmental entities or interests until the council is constituted as required by this subsection.
     (2))) (6) Members shall not be compensated but shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (((3))) (7) The department of ((community, trade, and economic development)) commerce shall provide administrative and clerical assistance to the building code council.