SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5495

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Governmental Operations, February 18, 2013

Title: An act relating to the state building code council.

Brief Description: Expanding the membership of the state building code council.

Sponsors: Senators Holmquist Newbry, Fain, Hobbs, Dammeier and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Governmental Operations: 2/12/13, 2/18/13 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Braun and Rivers.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Conway.

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: The State Building Code Council (Council) is responsible for the adoption and maintenance of the various building, residential, fire, and other model codes that comprise the State Building Code.

The Council is comprised of 15 members who are appointed by the Governor. At least six of the 15 Council members must reside east of the Cascade Mountains. The Council membership must consist of:

The Council also includes the following ex officio, nonvoting members:

Council members serve three-year terms. Before making any appointment to the Council, the Governor must seek nominations from recognized organizations with an interest in the building construction trade or industry.

Summary of Bill: The Council must include 17 members: the current membership, plus one member representing small rental property owners and managers subject to the international building code, and one member representing large rental property owners and managers subject to the international building code. At least seven of the 17 members of the Council must reside east of the Cascade Mountains.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: In 2015, the Council must update codes regarding existing structures. Landlords are going to be directly impacted by those changes, and we want to make sure they have a voice on the Council. No one on the Council speaks for or represents existing property owners. The Council's focus seems to disproportionately deal with new construction. There are over one million rental properties in the state that would be affected by changes in the codes. It is appropriate to have some expertise and eyes on the codes from rental property owners. The Council is becoming more challenging from a regulatory standpoint for the construction industry. There may be a need for additional people from the construction industry on the Council. We want to ensure that the Council is not going outside its legislative mandate.

OTHER: Addition of members to the Council shifts the majority away from public safety aspects. We want to make sure those concerns are not diminished. We would welcome the opportunity to expand Council membership from the public safety community.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Holmquist Newbry, prime sponsor; Joe Puckett, WA Multifamily Housing Assn.; Kyle Woodring, Rental Housing Assn. of WA; Gary Smith, Independent Business Assn.

OTHER: Rob Huss, WA State Patrol; Dylan Doty, WA Fire Chiefs.