THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3006

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO BUILDING CODES.

 

 

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

 

PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that health, safety, and efficiency are key cost considerations in construction projects.  The legislature further finds that Hawaii continues to face high costs of construction as the State and counties continue to explore how to create more affordable housing and transit-oriented development.

     The purpose of this part is to require the legislative reference bureau to conduct a study on construction projects in the State.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The legislative reference bureau shall conduct a study on construction projects in the State, including:

     (1)  The factors that contribute to costs;

     (2)  Key contributors to cost overruns; and

     (3)  The effects of using alternative building codes on the plumbing industry and public health and safety.

     (b)  The legislative reference bureau shall submit the study, including findings and recommendations, to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2019.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the legislative reference bureau to conduct a study of construction projects in the State.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the purposes of this part.

PART II

     SECTION 4.  Building codes are standards or procedures developed by standards organizations and adopted into law and enforced by state and local governments.  These building codes standardize the practices of the building industry and provide minimum standards for the protection of public health and safety.  The Hawaii state building codes apply to all construction in the State and are based on the state fire code, the Uniform Plumbing Code, the International Building Code, the International Residential Code, the International Energy Conservation Code, the National Electrical Code, the Hawaii design standards, and other code provisions based on nationally published codes or standards.

     The purpose of this part is allow state projects to be designed and constructed using the International Plumbing Code in lieu of the Uniform Plumbing Code, subject to certain conditions.

     SECTION 5.  Section 107-25, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§107-25  Hawaii state building codes; requirements.  There is established the Hawaii state building codes applicable to all construction in the State of Hawaii.  The Hawaii state building codes shall be based upon:

     (1)  The state fire code as adopted by the state fire council;

     (2)  The Uniform Plumbing Code, as copyrighted and published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials[, including its appendices]; provided that the International Plumbing Code, as copyrighted and published by the International Code Council, may be used in lieu of the Uniform Plumbing Code when approved by the administrative authority having jurisdiction; provided that:

          (A)  A written request by a Hawaii licensed professional engineer with the concurrence of the building project owner must be made to the administrative authority having jurisdiction;

          (B)  The details of the approval shall be recorded and entered in the files of the department;

          (C)  Plans submitted shall be stamped by the Hawaii licensed professional engineer;

          (D)  Where conflicts exist between a code the authority having jurisdiction shall deem which provision in part or whole shall be recognized, approved, and enforced; and

          (E)  Plans submitted shall clearly state on the submitted title, plumbing or mechanical sheets that the International Plumbing Code was used as a basis of the design.

     (3)  The International Building Code, the International Residential Code, and the International Energy Conservation Code, as published by the International Code Council;

     (4)  The National Electrical Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association;

     (5)  Hawaii design standards implementing the criteria pursuant to Act 5, Special Session Laws of Hawaii[,] 2005, as applicable to:

          (A)  Emergency shelters built to comply with hurricane resistant criteria, including enhanced hurricane protection areas capable of withstanding a five hundred-year hurricane event as well as other storms and natural hazards; and

          (B)  Essential government facilities requiring continuity of operations; and

     (6)  Code provisions based on nationally published codes or standards that include but are not limited to residential and hurricane resistant standards related to loss mitigation standards in accordance with section 431P-12, elevator, mechanical, flood and tsunami, existing buildings, and onsite sewage disposal."

PART III

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050; provided that part II shall take effect on January 1, 2100.

 

Report Title:

State Building Codes; Construction; Costs; Study; Plumbing Code; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on construction projects in the State.  Appropriates funds for the study.  Allows state projects to be designed and constructed using the International Plumbing Code in lieu of the Uniform Plumbing Code, subject to certain conditions.  (SB3006 HD1)

 

 

 

 

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