THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	30
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL TO EXTEND THE TIMEFRAME BETWEEN MODEL CODE UPDATES AND ADOPTION PROCESSES AND TAKE A MORE BALANCED AND DELIBERATIVE APPROACH TO CODE REVISIONS.

WHEREAS, the International Code Council plays a vital role in establishing and revising model building codes that impact construction standards worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the current model code adoption schedule imposes stringent timelines that present significant challenges to jurisdictions and industry stakeholders with respect to implementation, compliance, and associated costs; and

WHEREAS, frequent updates to building codes require substantial financial and administrative investments from municipalities, developers, and construction professionals, which increases burdens on entities in both the public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, the rapid pace of code revisions does not provide sufficient time for comprehensive evaluation, public input, and industry adaptation, which leads to increased costs, project delays, and logistical inefficiencies; and

WHEREAS, extending the timeframe between adoption processes would enable stakeholders to better analyze, budget for, and implement necessary changes, which would lead to improvements in compliance, safety standards, and economic feasibility; and

WHEREAS, the length of time that county planning departments take to review and approve projects is significantly affected by the frequent adoption of new building codes, which leads to extended delays, administrative bottlenecks, and increased costs for developers and homeowners; and

WHEREAS, extending the timeframe between code adoption processes would also encourage more thorough stakeholder engagement, make new regulations more practical, and ensure smoother transitions to revised standards; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the International Code Council is urged to:

(1) Extend the timeframe between model code updates and adoption processes, to allow for greater industry preparation, cost mitigation, and regulatory efficiency; and

(2) Take a more balanced and deliberative approach to code revisions to ensure that all impacted parties have adequate time to assess, plan, and implement necessary changes without undue financial and operational burdens; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all recipients of this Resolution are urged to advocate for a more sustainable and effective code adoption schedule; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Comptroller, Chairperson of the State Building Code Council, Chair of each County Council in the State of Hawaii, President of the Board of Directors of the International Code Council, Chief Executive Officer of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Fire Protection Association, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Home Builders.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

International Code Council; Building Codes; Adoption; Revisions