SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2516

BYHouse Committee on Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Todd, Winsley, Nutley, Leonard and Jacobsen)

Authorizing building code education and training programs.

House Committe on Housing

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1990

Senate Staff:Phil Moeller (786-7445)

AS OF FEBRUARY 19, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The State Building Code Council (SBCC) 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 application of the State Building Code is the responsibility of the building officials and their staff located in the 268 cities and towns and 39 counties of the state.  While the State Building Code provides the minimum construction standards, the interpretation of the code is left to the building official in each jurisdiction.

Currently, there is no education or training process which ensures consistent interpretations of the State Building Code by all building officials.

In the state of Washington, general contractors are not required to have any knowledge of construction codes or practices prior to obtaining a certificate of registration as a contractor.  The state only requires contractors to satisfy specified insurance and financial responsibility requirements.

SUMMARY:

The State Building Code Council (SBCC) is directed to conduct or sponsor continuing education or training programs for state or local code enforcement personnel, contractors engaged in residential, commercial or industrial construction, and building material suppliers.  The continuing education or training programs must cover the technical, legal, and administrative aspects of the uniform codes that comprise the State Building Code.  Code enforcement personnel is defined as the officer or duly authorized representative charged with the administration and enforcement of the uniform codes that comprise the State Building Code.

The SBCC shall adopt rules to implement the continuing education and training programs, including but not limited to standards for continuing education or training courses including courses on recent changes in the State Building Code, new products, and construction techniques.

A nine member Education and Training Advisory Committee is established in the SBCC.  The membership consists of:  (a) three representatives of the construction industry; (b) three representatives of local government code enforcement and fire service officials; (c) two representatives of the building design profession; and (d) the chair of the SBCC to act as chair of the advisory committee.  The chair shall be a nonvoting member, except in the case of a tie.  The members of the advisory committee shall be appointed by the SBCC based on recommendations from the appropriate interest groups.

The Education and Training Advisory Committee must:  (1) consult and cooperate with state and national building officials and fire service organizations to ensure that the education or training programs meet the requirements for their educational training programs; (2) conduct an assessment of existing education and training needs of state and local code enforcement personnel and contractors engaged in the construction industry; and (3) provide a written report to the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and the Senate Governmental Operations Committee by July 1, 1991, on the status and progress of the continuing education and training programs.

A surcharge on building permit fees imposed by all local governments is used to fund the continuing education or training programs conducted or sponsored by the SBCC.  The surcharge is based on 2 percent of the building permit fee charged on all building permits issued by a city or county.

The building code education and training account is created in the custody of the State Treasurer for deposit of the surcharge imposed on all building permits issued by local governments.

Appropriation:    $500,000 is appropriated from the building code education and training account to the Department of Community Development.

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      available