SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1612

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

State & Local Government, February 21, 2002

Title:  An act relating to membership on the state building code council.

Brief Description:  Adding an ex officio member to the building code council.

Sponsors:  Representative Romero; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  2/21/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Gardner, Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn, Keiser, Kline and Swecker.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

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 (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 State Building Code Council consists of 15 members, two of whom must be county-elected legislative body members or elected executives and two of whom must be city-elected legislative body members or mayors.  One member must be a local government building code enforcement official and one of the members must be a fire service official.  Representation of specialists is also specified.  Ex-officio, nonvoting members include two members of the House of Representatives, one from each caucus, and two members of the Senate, one from each caucus, as well as an employee of the Electrical Division of the Department of Labor and Industries.

Summary of Bill:  The State Director of Fire Protection within the Washington State Patrol is added to the State Building Code Council as an ex-officio nonvoting member.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The State Fire Marshal is a key player in the process of adopting or amending building codes.  The State Fire Marshal should be statutorily recognized for this important role.  This will help avoid conflicts between the codes.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Tim Nogler, State Building Code Council.