The State Building Code (SBC) provides a set of statewide standards and requirements related to building construction. The SBC is comprised of various international model codes, including building, residential, fire, and plumbing codes (model codes) adopted by reference by the Legislature. The model codes are promulgated by the International Code Council.
The State Energy Code (Energy Code) is part of the SBC, which sets the minimum construction requirements for buildings in the state. The Energy Code establishes minimum energy efficiency requirements for residential and nonresidential buildings.
On August 19, 2023, the Governor declared a state of emergency for all of Washington due to the high risk of wildfires throughout the state.
The Department of Commerce (Commerce) must establish and administer a disaster relief payment program to provide assistance to qualifying property owners and local governments that had buildings damaged or destroyed by wildfires. Commerce must develop a system for evaluating applications in consultation with the emergency management division of the Military Department and tribal and local government emergency authorities.
In order to be eligible for disaster relief payments, a property owner who had a building damaged or destroyed during a wildfire occurring between the dates of August 1, 2023 and October 1, 2023 and in a county located east of the crest of the Cascade mountains with a population of at least 500,000, must meet all of the following criteria:
Disaster relief payments awarded by Commerce may only be used for the purpose of meeting increased energy efficiency standards, providing or increasing electric vehicle charging capacity, and the installation and use of solar panels on a building that did not, prior to being damaged or destroyed, use solar panels.
The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This bill is important for our community as hundreds of people were impacted by a loss of their homes and businesses. We did receive word that FEMA assistance is becoming available.
OTHER: We have concerns about sections three and four of the bill. This bill creates a helpful layer of assistance in addition to insurance and other funds to aid in recovery from the wildfires.