STAND. COM. REP. NO. 216

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 795

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Tourism and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 795 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BUILDING CODES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Accounting and General Services to establish and implement a statewide building code.

     This measure appropriates $500,000, for fiscal year 2007-2008, for the operations of the State Building Code Council, including technical assistance services, and training and administrative assistance as required to be expended by the Department of Accounting and General Services.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Defense, the Department of Accounting and General Services, the Fire Council, the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii, and State Farm Insurance Companies.  The Council of the American Institute of Architects submitted comments on the measure.

     Your Committees find that the State has traditionally allowed the individual counties to establish their own building codes.  The counties have adopted various portions of the Uniform Building Code, but building codes differ from county to county.  The status of the fragmented building requirements in Hawaii is of serious concern to those involved in building ownership, design, construction, and insurance.  Over forty states have adopted some form of a statewide building code.  The adoption of a uniform set of statewide building codes applicable to one and two family dwellings, all other residential uses, and commercial and industrial buildings, and state buildings would make it possible for building owners, designers, contractors, and code enforcers within the State to apply consistent standards.  The health and safety considerations related to the codes are of statewide interest, especially relating to emergency disaster preparedness.

     Your Committees amended this measure by requiring that all council members be appointed by either the Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Mayor of each respective county, the Fire Chief of the respective counties, and each council member serve staggered six-year terms.  Your Committees also amended this measure to include language that the State Building Code shall include the latest edition of the State Fire Code as adopted by the State Fire Council and that the State Building Code shall also include the latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code as copyrighted and published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

     The intent of your Committees is to require the Department of Accounting and General Services to establish and implement a statewide building code to provide for the implementation of consistent standards throughout the State of Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Tourism and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 795, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 795, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Tourism and Government Operations,

____________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair

____________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair