SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 249

BYHouse Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Nutley, J. Williams, Leonard and Todd; by request of Department of Community Development)

Revising provisions on non-energy-related building codes.

House Committe on Housing

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 31, 1987; April 2, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                  April 2, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, APRIL 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The State Building Code Council (SBCC) was established to develop and maintain the State Building Code.  The Council was originally established by the Legislature in 1975 as an advisory body. In 1985, legislation gave the SBCC rule making responsibilities.

The Council consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor, and two state agency ex-officio nonvoting members:  a representative of the Insurance Commissioner's Office and a representative of the Department of Labor and Industries.  In 1986, state fire protection programs were transferred to the Department of Community Development from the Insurance Commissioner.

The present law states that the SBCC shall maintain the adopted codes through regular review of updated versions and by amending codes.

However, the State Building Code enacted in 1985 includes the 1982 editions of the Uniform Building Code and Standards, the Uniform Mechanical Code, the Uniform Fire Code and Standards, and the Uniform Plumbing Code and Standards published by the International Conference of Building Officials, the Western Fire Chiefs Association, and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

Amendments to these codes are published annually and new editions are published every three years by the respective associations.  Currently, the law must be changed each time to update these codes which are adopted by reference.

The SBCC is also responsible for approving or denying amendments to the State Building Code which apply to single-family or multifamily residential buildings as proposed by local governments.

A $1.50 fee on each building permit issued by a county or city is used to provide staff services to the SBCC and to conduct research into code related matters assigned by the Legislature.  The fee was intended to make the Council's operations self-supporting.

SUMMARY:

The State Building Code Council (SBCC), by rule, must review and update the uniform codes that comprise the State Building Code.

The SBCC ex-officio representative from the Insurance Commissioner's Office is replaced by the director of Fire Protection or the director's designee.

The SBCC's criteria for considering local code amendments proposed by governing bodies of counties or cities to the Uniform Building Code and Uniform Building Code Standards, as applied to single- family and multifamily residential buildings must relate to health and safety.  All approved local code amendments to the Uniform Building Code concerning single-family and multifamily residential buildings that do not relate to health and safety must be reconsidered.

The building permit surcharge fee is increased from $1.50 to $3.50 on each building permit issued by a county or city.

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill declares an emergency and takes effect immediately.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The requirements that local code amendments relate to health and safety are repositioned in the bill, and specify that they be considered by the Building Code Council.

Senate Committee - Testified: Otto Jensen, Fire Chiefs Association; Marc Sullivan and Lee Wheeler, Building Code Council; Peter King, AWC; Gary Lowe, Washington State Association of Counties; Don McDonald, Bothell