HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SHB 1978

BYHouse Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Jacobsen, Nelson and Belcher)

Revising provisions for application of the state building code.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives Todd, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; R. Fisher, Hankins, Morris and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 13, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The State Building Code consists of a number of uniform codes:  the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code, the Uniform Fire Code, and the Uniform Plumbing Code.  These codes apply to all jurisdictions.  The State Building Code Council reviews and maintains the codes, and may develop any additional requirements to be applied on a state-wide basis.

Cities and counties may amend the codes in their respective jurisdictions as long as certain minimum standards are met.  The State Building Code Council must approve any amendments for single family dwellings and multi- family residences with fewer than four units.  Cities and counties may also exclude certain types of buildings, except single or multi-family residences, from any portion of the codes.

In addition to the uniform codes, there are also appendices which cover items not considered general enough to be included in the main code.  Appendix C to the Uniform Plumbing Code contains recommended ratios of toilet facilities for men and women in different types of buildings.  Local jurisdictions are not required to adopt the appendices to the codes.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature finds that the State Building Code has not realistically addressed the demands on women's restrooms, in part because counties and cities have been able to exclude public assembly buildings from the original appendices of the Uniform Plumbing Code.

The portion of Appendix C to the Uniform Plumbing Code that addresses the ratio of women's and men's restrooms in places of public assembly is adopted as part of the State Building Code.

Cities and counties retain authority to amend the Code in their jurisdictions, but amendments may not diminish the minimum facilities specified in Appendix C of the Plumbing Code in places of public assembly.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Second substitute bill) Gary Lowe, Washington Association of Counties (neutral); and Blair Patrick, Washington Association of Building Officials (neutral).

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Second substitute bill) Previous objections to the bill were solved with the language of the substitute.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.