HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5352
As Reported by House Committee On:
Local Government & Housing
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to increasing the building code council fee.
Brief Description: Increasing the building code council fee.
Sponsors: Senators Horn and Kline; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government & Housing: 2/25/02, 2/28/02 [DP];
Appropriations: 3/2/02 [DP].
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Brief Summary of Bill |
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$Increases the base fee on each building permit issued by a county, city or town from $4.50 to $6.00. The proceeds are used to fund the State Building Code Council.
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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 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 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 State Building Code 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 State Building Code 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 $6.00 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: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The state building code council works to make sure that the state's building codes are updated and current. The state building code council is a very responsive organization that works to meet the needs of the state and the local communities. While the state building council has taken measures to increase efficiencies, its duties and responsibilities have continued to increase. This fee increase will allow the state building code council to continue its important work.
Testimony Against: The state building code council does not listen to our concerns. We could live with a smaller increase, but what they are proposing is an increase of 30 percent. What the state building code council should do is operate more like a private business and reduce its costs through improved efficiencies and cost‑cutting measures.
Testified: (In support) Senator Jim Horn, prime sponsor; Tim Nogler, Office of Community Development; and Rick Slunaker, Associated General Contractors.
(Against) Larry Andrews, Inland Northwest Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning and Andrews Mechanical.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Doumit, 1st Vice Chair; Fromhold, 2nd Vice Chair; Cody, Dunshee, Grant, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, McIntire, Schual‑Berke and Tokuda.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Sehlin, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Boldt, Buck, Clements, Cox, Lisk, Mastin, Pearson, Pflug, Ruderman and Talcott.
Staff: Linda Brooks (786‑7153).
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Local Government & Housing:
No new changes were recommended.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Washington cities support this bill. The activities of the Building Code Council have been increasing while staff levels have held constant. The Building Code Council is a good example of an agency that has been doing more with less. The last time that there was an increase in the permit fee was in 1989. Why are the Building Code Council's activities important? The Council's activities serve to provide uniformity and consistency in building codes. The Council provides technical assistance to those who are governed by the codes, and the Council's activities enhance building and fire code effectiveness ratings to ensure eligibility for federal FEMA aid and other assistance programs.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Victoria Lincoln, Association of Washington Cities; and Rick Slunaker, Associated General Contractors.