HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1510

BYRepresentatives Todd and Nutley

Modifying ex-officio membership of the state building code council.

House Committe on Housing

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Nutley, Chair; Leonard, Vice Chair; Winsley, Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Ballard, Inslee, Padden, Rector and Todd.

House Staff:Kenny Pittman (786-7392)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HOUSING FEBRUARY 14, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The State Building Code Council was established to develop and maintain the various codes that establish construction standards for residential, commercial and industrial structures in the state.  These codes and related standards comprise the State Building Code.  The State Building Code Council was originally established by the legislature in 1975 as an advisory body.  In 1985, legislation was passed that changed the State Building Code Council's responsibilities from advisory to rule making.

The State Building Code Council consists of fifteen members appointed by the governor.  In addition, there are two ex-officio nonvoting members; a representative of the Insurance Commissioner's Office and a representative of the Department of Labor and Industries.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The State Building Code Council's ex-officio, nonvoting membership is revised. The representative from the Insurance Commissioner's Office is removed from the State Building Code Council. In addition, two members of the House of Representatives, one from each caucus and two members from the Senate, one from each caucus, are appointed to the State Building Code Council as ex officio nonvoting members.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The ex-officio, nonvoting member that was transferred from the Insurance Commissioner's Office to the Director of Fire Protection or the Director's Designee was removed.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Mark Triplett, Building Industry Association of Washington; Otto Jensen, Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs; Roger Polzin, Insurance Commissioner's Office.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The change in the ex officio membership is a positive step and needed.  The State Building Code Council has gone through an evolution process.  The added membership from the Legislature will provide necessary oversight.  The clean up language to replace the member from the Insurance Commissioner's Office with the Director of Fire Protection is needed.  This moved to the Department of Community Development from the Insurance Commissioner's Office.  The Insurance Commissioner's Office no longer has the technical staff for this position.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.