HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1363

As Reported by House Committee On:

Local Government & Housing

Title:  An act relating to increasing the building code council fee.

Brief Description:  Increasing the building code council fee.

Sponsors:  Representatives Cairnes and Cooper; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Local Government & Housing:  1/16/02, 1/31/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Increases the base fee on each building permit issued by a county, city or town from $4.50 to $6, with the proceeds used to fund the State Building Code Council.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Edwards, Vice Chair; Berkey, Hatfield, Kirby and Sullivan.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Mulliken, Ranking Minority Member; Crouse, DeBolt, Dunn and Mielke.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786‑7392).

Background:

The State Building Code Council (Council) adopts and maintains the various codes that constitute the State Building Code.  Among other responsibilities, the council must approve or deny all county or city amendments to the State Building Code to the extent the amendments apply to single or multifamily (as defined) residential buildings.  The council may issue advisory opinions relating to the codes at the request of a local official charged with the duty to enforce the codes.

The Council is funded by the imposition of a base fee of $4.50 on each building permit issued by a county, city or town, plus an additional surcharge of $2 for each residential unit, but not including the first unit, on each building containing more than one residential unit.  These moneys are deposited into the Council account.  This fee has been in effect since 1989.

Summary of  Bill:

The base fee on each building permit issued by a city or county is increased from $4.50 to $6 on each building permit issued by a county, city or town.  The proceeds are used to fund the State Building Code Council.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The Council is responsible for maintaining and updating the uniform codes that comprise the state building code.  The Council=s fee on building permits has not increased since 1989.  While the Council has instituted numerous efficience to lower its costs, its workload has continued to increase.  The fee increase will allow the Council to continue to operate.

Testimony Against:  The fee increase is not needed.  The state building code council needs to become more efficient in its operation.

Testified:  (In support)  Representative Carines, prime sponsor; Rick Slunaker, Association of General Contractors; Tim Nogler, State Building Code Council; N. Sue Alden and Dave Saunders, State Building Code Council; and Mark Tripplett, Washington Association of Building Officials.

(Against) Edwin L. Andrews II, Andrews Mechanical; and Brian Minnick, Building Industry Association of Washington.