BILL REQ. #:  H-2956.2 

Read first time 01/14/14.   Referred to Committee on Local Government.

     AN ACT Relating to the training of code enforcement officials; and adding new sections to chapter 49.04 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) Statewide training for code officials is an essential element in the health and vitality of the state's construction industry. The recent downturn in the economy has resulted in staff reductions in many local code enforcement offices. With the expected retirement of other senior code officials, there will be a substantial need for training of new code officials as well as continuing training for existing officials. As the economy of the state of Washington improves, it is imperative to have well-trained building inspectors throughout our communities in order to assure timely and consistent inspections so that our construction economy can recover at the most expeditious rate.
     (2) Because of these issues, the state of Washington approved the creation of the code officials apprenticeship program. Local jurisdictions are less able to consistently pay for and send staff to training in central locations without compromising service levels. The legislature finds that support for technical training and the code officials apprenticeship and training program will provide:
     (a) Consistent training for code officials for all jurisdictions;
     (b) Greater uniformity of enforcement of building codes;
     (c) Education on the implementation of the new energy and green construction codes;
     (d) Equal access for all jurisdictions to training essential to the efficient and effective discharge of the regulatory function;
     (e) A reduction of the employment cost burden of local jurisdictions; and
     (f) Leverage, when possible, of training dollars by taking advantage of the economy of scale presented by a central, organized training curriculum using economies of scale and potential grant funds to supplement code official training.
     (3) It is the intent of this act to assure that our construction industry and local communities have assurance that code officials have access to current training on the most recent code updates.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   There is imposed a fee of two dollars on each building permit issued by a county or a city. The building permit must be the same type of permit on which a fee may be imposed under RCW 19.27.085(3). Quarterly, each county and city must remit moneys collected under this section to the state treasury; however, no remittance is required until a minimum of fifty dollars has accumulated pursuant to this subsection.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Revenue collected under section 2 of this act must be appropriated to the department of revenue for distribution to the sponsor of an apprenticeship program for building officials for the following purposes:
     (1) Expenses related to the establishment and operation of a code official apprenticeship program;
     (2) Administrative expenses of the joint apprenticeship training committee for the code official apprenticeship program; and
     (3) Expenses related to training programs for code officials provided by public or private entities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The code officials apprenticeship and training account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from section 2 of this act must be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only as provided in section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 49.04 RCW.