HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

79

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A UNIFORM STATEWIDE BUILDING CODE.

 

WHEREAS, the State has traditionally allowed its counties to establish their own individual building codes; and

WHEREAS, the counties have adopted various portions of the Uniform Building Code (Code), but the Code differs from county to county; and

WHEREAS, this fragmentation of building requirements in Hawaii is of serious concern to those involved in building ownership and design; and

WHEREAS, over 40 states have adopted some form of a statewide building code, and international building codes are currently being considered for adoption by several counties, especially due to statewide health and safety considerations within the codes; and

WHEREAS, all construction in the State is affected by nearly identical conditions; and

WHEREAS, a uniform statewide building code applicable to residential, commercial, and industrial buildings would make it possible for building owners, designers, contractors, and code enforcers within the state to apply one set of standards; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature requests the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to study the feasibility of establishing a uniform statewide building code; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of DAGS is requested to establish a Task Force on a Uniform Statewide Building Code (Task Force), to examine and make recommendations pertaining to the adoption of a model building code for the State, applicable to residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of DAGS is requested to include in the Task Force:

(1) Building directors of the Counties of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii, and the City and County of Honolulu;

(2) One person appointed by the State Fire Council;

(3) One person appointed by the Building Industry Association of Hawaii;

(4) One person appointed by the American Institute of Architects Hawaii State Council;

(5) One person appointed by the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii;

(6) One person appointed by the General Contractors Association of Hawaii; and

(7) One person appointed by the Hawaii Association of Realtors;

(8) One person appointed by the Insurance Commissioner representing an insurer that writes at least 20 percent of the Hawaii homeowners insurance market; and

(9) One person appointed by the Insurance Commissioner representing an insurer that writes less than 20 percent of the Hawaii homeowners insurance marketl

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the Task Force serve on a voluntary basis and be responsible for any costs associated with their participation on the Task Force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of DAGS is requested to submit a report to the Legislature at least 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006, outlining the positive and negative implications of the establishment of a statewide building code; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of DAGS, directors of the building departments of the Counties of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii, and the City and County of Honolulu, State Fire Council, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, American Institute of Architects Hawaii State Council, Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Association of Realtors, and the Insurance Commissioner.