THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	213
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to THE sTATE building code council.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Act 82, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, established the adoption of a uniform set of statewide building codes to apply consistent standards.  Act 82 also established a state building code council.

     The legislature finds, however, that unlike more than half of the states that have a building code council, Hawaii's building code council does not have any representatives from the construction industry and building trades.  In the state of Washington, for example, out of a total of fifteen voting members, four council members represent commercial and residential builders, suppliers, and the construction trades.  The International Code Council states that at least twenty-five state building code councils include a home builder representative.

     The purpose of this Act is to reconfigure the membership of the state building code council to increase construction industry and building trade representation on the state building code council.

     SECTION 2.  Section 107-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the title and subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

"[[]§107-22[]]  State building code council.  (a)  There is established a state building code council.  The council shall be placed within the department of accounting and general services for administrative purposes only.  The council shall consist of [nine] eleven voting members and one nonvoting member, who shall be the comptroller or the comptroller's designee.  The council members shall serve four-year terms as defined in paragraphs (1) to (6).  The voting members shall include:

     (1)  One county building official from each of the four counties appointed by the mayor;

     (2)  One member representing the state fire council;

    [(3) One member representing the department of health who has significant experience in building mechanical and sewage disposal systems;

(4) One member representing the department of labor and industrial relations who has significant experience in elevator or fire safety;]

(3) One member representing the Building Industry Association of Hawaii;

(4) One member representing the General Contractors' Association of Hawaii;

     (5)  One member representing the Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii; [and]

     (6)  One member representing the American Institute of Architects, Hawaii State Council[.];

(7) One member representing the Hawaii Construction Alliance; and

(8) One member representing the Subcontractors' Association of Hawaii.

     (b)  [Six] Seven voting members shall constitute a quorum.  The chairperson of the council shall be elected annually from among its members by a majority vote of the members of the council."

     SECTION 3.  Section 107-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§107-24[]]  Authority and duties of the council.  (a)  Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, the council shall establish a comprehensive state building code.

     (b)  The council shall appoint a subcommittee comprised of the four council members representing county building officials, whose duty shall be to recommend any necessary or desirable state amendments to the model codes.  Any recommended state amendments shall require the unanimous agreement of the subcommittee.

     (c)  The council may appoint other investigative, technical expertise committees, which may include council members.

     [(d)  The council shall consult with general building contractor associations and building trade associations to gather information and recommendations on construction practices and training relevant to building codes and standards.

(e)] (d)  The council shall review and adopt, as appropriate, new model building codes within eighteen months of the official publication date.

     [(f)] (e)  The council may make expenditures for technical references, equipment and supplies, and other operating expenses, and may contract for the conduct of research studies and other technical services.

     [(g)] (f)  The council shall provide education and technical training and administrative assistance in the form of services or grants at the state and county levels relating to the implementation and enforcement of the state building code adopted pursuant to this part."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

State Building Code Council; Membership; Authority and Duties

Description:

Reconfigures the membership of the state building code council by eliminating members from the department of health and department of labor and industrial relations, and adding members from the Building Industry Association, General Contractors' Association, Hawaii Construction Alliance, and Subcontractors' Association of Hawaii.  Changes the requirements for a quorum from six to seven.  Eliminates the council's obligation to consult with private sector representatives regarding construction practices and training.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.