AN ACT Relating to building code education and training programs; adding new sections to chapter 19.27 RCW; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the education and training of code enforcement officials and contractors is essential to uniform enforcement and application of the state building code. A program of continuing education and training will enhance the professional capabilities of those involved in the construction and inspection of residential, commercial, and industrial structures. The benefit of enhanced professional capabilities will go directly to the person taking out the building permit.

The legislature further finds that in order to increase the professional capabilities of those involved in the construction and inspection of residential, commercial, and industrial structures that a state-wide program of continuing education and training on the technical, legal, and administrative aspects of the state building code is needed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 19.27 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The building code council may conduct or sponsor continuing education or training programs that cover the technical, legal, and administrative aspects of the codes adopted and amended by the state building code council for state and local code enforcement personnel, contractors engaged in the construction industry, and building material suppliers. For this purpose it may cooperate and contract with educational institutions, local, regional, state, or national building officials and fire service organizations, or home builder associations, and any other appropriate organization. As used in this section, "code enforcement personnel" means the officer or duly authorized representative charged with the administration and enforcement of the state building code.

(2) The building code council may reimburse state and local code enforcement personnel and other employees of the state and its subdivisions for related expenses incurred by them for attendance at continuing education and training programs approved by the state building code council.

(3) The building code council shall adopt rules to implement this section, including but not limited to standards for continuing education and training courses including courses on recent changes in the state building code, new building products, and construction techniques for state and local code enforcement personnel, contractors engaged in the construction industry, and building material suppliers.

(4) The building code education and training programs shall be funded by a surcharge on building permit fees for construction activities covered by the codes adopted and amended by the state building code council and imposed by all counties and cities of the state. The department of community development shall develop and implement a method of collecting the surcharge. The surcharge shall be two percent of the building permit fee charged on each building permit issued by a county or city. All moneys collected from the surcharge shall be deposited in the building code education and training account created in section 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 19.27 RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is hereby established an education and training advisory committee within the state building code council.

(2) The education and training advisory committee shall consist of nine members: (a) Three representatives of the construction industry, appointed by the state building code council based on recommendations from the construction industry; (b) three representatives from local government building code enforcement and fire service officials, appointed by the state building code council based on recommendations from the Washington association of building officials and the Washington state association of fire chiefs; (c) two representatives of the building design profession, appointed by the state building code council, based on recommendations from the building design profession; and (d) the chair of the state building code council to act as chair of the education and training advisory committee.

(3) The chair shall be a nonvoting member, except in the case of ties.

(4) The state building code council shall appoint all members of the education and training advisory committee within sixty days from the effective date of this section. The state building code council shall consider obtaining a geographic distribution and balance throughout the state.

(5) Members of the education and advisory committee shall not be compensated but shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 19.27 RCW to read as follows:

The education and training advisory committee shall:

(1) Conduct an assessment of education and training needs of state and local code enforcement personnel and contractors engaged in the construction industry;

(2) Consult and cooperate with state and national building officials and fire service organizations in order to facilitate the acceptance of these programs as meeting the requirements for their educational training programs;

(3) Take any other action relating to carrying out section 2 of this act; and

(4) Provide a written report to the house of representatives housing committee and senate governmental operations committee by July 1, 1991, on the status and progress of the continuing education and training programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The building code education and training account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from surcharges collected under section 2 of this act shall be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Moneys from the account may be used only for the purposes stated in this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the building code education and training account to the department of community development for the purposes of this act.