SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2841

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 of February 25, 2016

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

Brief Description: Concerning the state building code council.

Sponsors: House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Senn and Buys).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/16/16, 62-35.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Security: 2/25/16.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & SECURITY

Staff: Karen Epps (786-7424)

Background: The State Building Code. The State Building Code (SBC) establishes minimum performance standards and requirements for construction and construction materials in the state, consistent with accepted standards of engineering, fire, and life safety. The SBC comprises a number of model codes and standards, developed and published by international and national organizations, which are adopted by reference in the State Building Code Act (Act). Model codes and standards adopted in the Act include the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, and the Uniform Plumbing Code Standards.

The State Building Code Council. The State Building Code Council (Council) is responsible for adopting, amending, and maintaining, as appropriate, the model codes and standards adopted by reference in the Act. Amendments to the model codes and standards adopted by the Council are codified in the Washington Administrative Code. The Council regularly reviews updated editions of each model code and standard every three years. The Council may employ permanent and temporary staff and contract for services. Currently, the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides administrative and clerical assistance to the Council.

The Council has 15 members appointed by the Governor who are, or represent:

At least six of the 15 members must reside in Eastern Washington. Additionally, four legislative members - two each appointed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, one from each caucus - and an employee of the electrical division of the Department of Labor and Industries serve as ex officio, nonvoting members on the Council.

Each qualified member serves a three-year term. Members who represent a specific private sector industry must maintain sufficiently similar employment or circumstances throughout the term of office to remain qualified. Retirement or unemployment is not a cause for termination from the Council. If a member enters employment outside of the industry he or she represents, the member must be removed from the Council.

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (Proposed Amendment): Members of the State Building Code Council. Members of the Council who represent the following industries must be representatives of the private sector:

After the effective date of the bill, any member who represents a specific private sector industry must maintain sufficiently similar private sector employment or circumstances throughout the term of office to remain qualified, though retirement or unemployment is not cause for termination. Any member appointed to represent a specific private sector industry who enters into employment outside of the industry or the private sector must be removed from the Council.

The Council is established in DES. DES is no longer required to provide administrative and clerical assistance to the Council, but is authorized to employ permanent and temporary staff and to contract for services for the Council.

The Legislative Task Force on the Council's Administration and Operations. A Legislative Task Force on the Council's Administration and Operations (Task Force) is established. Members of the Task Force include:

The Task Force must select its chair from the legislative members. The Task Force must review and provide recommendations on issues, including:

The Task Force must report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by October 1, 2017, and the Task Force expires on October 1, 2017.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Council helps maintain codes to keep the health, safety and well-being in mind for the built environment. The Council is facing some financial issues because their revenues have been decreasing and they have decreased their staff from eight employees to about four employees. This has been hurting the code process in terms of being able to do enough financial analysis of proposed codes. There is a recognized need for some reform of the Council to make sure that it continues to comply with all standards and laws. It needs to work well for all the Council members and the stakeholders. The bill as passed the House provides for funds for the Council at the same time as some reforms are done, together with the Task Force to look at additional reforms. It is important to provide the Council with the fees so they can continue to be sustained and then reforms can be done.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Senn, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: PRO: Mark Gjurasic, Building Owners and Managers Assn; Mike Ennis, Assn of WA Business; Art Castle, Building Industry Assn of WA; Jeanette Mckague, WA Realtors; Tonia Sorrell-Neal, WA Conference of Mason Contractors | Masonry Institute of WA; Michael Groesch, Puget Sound School Coalition.