AN ACT Relating to non-energy-related building codes; amending RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.070, 19.27.074, and 19.27.085; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1. Section 5, chapter 360, Laws of 1985 and RCW 19.27.031 are each amended to read as follows:

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, there shall be in effect in all counties and cities the state building code which shall consist of the following codes ((~~which are hereby adopted by reference~~)) as amended, if necessary, and adopted by the state building code council pursuant to RCW 19.27.074:

(1) Uniform Building Code and Uniform Building Code Standards, ((~~1982 edition,~~)) published by the International Conference of Building Officials;

(2) Uniform Mechanical Code, ((~~1982 edition,~~)) including Chapter 22, Fuel Gas Piping, Appendix B, published by the International Conference of Building Officials;

(3) The Uniform Fire Code and Uniform Fire Code Standards, ((~~1982 edition,~~)) published by the International Conference of Building Officials and the Western Fire Chiefs Association: PROVIDED, That, notwithstanding any wording in this code, participants in religious ceremonies shall not be precluded from carrying hand-held candles;

(4) The Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, ((~~1982 edition,~~)) published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials: PROVIDED, That chapters 11 and 12 of such code ((~~are~~)) shall not be adopted; and

(5) The rules and regulations adopted by the council establishing standards for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by the physically handicapped or elderly persons as provided in RCW 70.92.100 through 70.92.160.

In case of conflict among the codes enumerated in subsections (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section, the first named code shall govern over those following.

The council may issue opinions relating to the codes at the request of a local building official.

Sec. 2. Section 7, chapter 96, Laws of 1974 ex. sess. as last amended by section 11, chapter 360, Laws of 1985 and RCW 19.27.070 are each amended to read as follows:

There is hereby established a state building code council to be appointed by the governor.

(1) The state building code council shall consist of fifteen members, two of whom shall be county elected legislative body members or elected executives and two of whom shall be city elected legislative body members or mayors. One of the members shall be a local government building code enforcement official and one of the members shall be a local government fire service official. Of the remaining nine members, one member shall represent general construction, specializing in commercial and industrial building construction; one member shall represent general construction, specializing in residential and multifamily building construction; one member shall represent the architectural design profession; one member shall represent the structural engineering profession; one member shall represent the mechanical engineering profession; one member shall represent the construction building trades; one member shall represent manufacturers, installers, or suppliers of building materials and components; one member shall be a person with a physical disability and shall represent the disability community; and one member shall represent the general public. At least six of these fifteen members shall reside east of the crest of the Cascade mountains. The council shall include ((~~an employee of the office of the insurance commissioner~~)) the director of fire protection or the director's designee 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. Terms of office shall be for three years. The board shall report annually to the governor and the legislature on the operation and administration of this chapter. The report shall include a summary of all council decisions relating to updates or amendments to the codes. The council shall elect a member to serve as chair of the council for one-year terms of office. 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. Before making any appointments to the building code council, the governor shall seek nominations from recognized organizations which represent the entities or interests listed in this subsection. 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) Members shall not be compensated but shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

(3) The department of community development shall provide administrative and clerical assistance to the building code council.

Sec. 3. Section 2, chapter 360, Laws of 1985 and RCW 19.27.074 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The state building code council shall:

(a) Amend, if necessary, adopt, and maintain the codes to which reference is made in RCW 19.27.031 ((~~in a status which~~)). The codes may be amended or adopted only when the council finds that the amendment or adoption is consistent with the state's interest as set forth in RCW 19.27.020. In ((~~maintaining~~)) carrying out its responsibilities in regard to these codes, the council shall regularly review updated versions of the codes referred to in RCW 19.27.031 and other pertinent information and shall amend the codes as deemed appropriate by the council;

(b) Approve or deny all county or city amendments to any code referred to in RCW 19.27.031 to the degree the amendments apply to single family or multifamily residential buildings;

(d) Propose a budget for the operation of the state building code council to be submitted to the office of financial management pursuant to RCW 43.88.090.

(2) The state building code council may:

(a) Appoint technical advisory committees which may include members of the council;

(b) Employ permanent and temporary staff and contract for services; and

All meetings of the state building code council shall be open to the public under the open public meetings act, chapter 42.30 RCW. All actions of the state building code council which adopt or amend any code of state-wide applicability shall be pursuant to the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.04 RCW.

All council decisions relating to the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 shall require approval by at least a majority of the members of the council.

All decisions to adopt or amend codes of state-wide application shall be made prior to December 1 of any year and shall not take effect before the end of the regular legislative session in the next year.

Sec. 4. Section 4, chapter 360, Laws of 1985 and RCW 19.27.085 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is hereby created the building code council account in the state treasury. Moneys deposited into the account shall be used by the building code council, after appropriation, to perform the purposes of the council.

(2) All moneys collected under subsection (3) of this section shall be deposited into the building code council account. Every four years the state treasurer shall report to the legislature on the balances in the account so that the legislature may adjust the charges imposed under subsection (3) of this section.

(3) There is imposed a fee of ((~~one dollar~~)) three dollars and fifty cents on each building permit issued by a county or a city. Quarterly each county and city shall 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. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.