STAND. COM. REP. NO. 480

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 212

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 212 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Allow the counties six, rather than two, years to adopt their amendments to the state building code; and

 

     (2)  Permit the counties to apply their most recently adopted building code until the new amendments are adopted and use the state building code as a reference during the six-year timeframe.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Building Industry Association of Hawaii.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Defense; Kauai Fire Department; Department of Fire and Public Safety, County of Maui; Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association of Hawaii; Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii; American Chemistry Council; International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials; and International Code Council.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; American Institute of Architects; and American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that the purpose of building codes is to establish minimum acceptable standards necessary for preserving the public health, safety, and welfare and for protecting property.  The development and updating of appropriate uniform building codes that can withstand the unique threats and hazards of Hawaii are critical in protecting our citizens.  Currently, most states update their building codes every three years to ensure that the most up-to-date safety practices, innovations in energy efficiency, and other practical advances in construction are incorporated into the building codes.  In the interest of public safety, your Committee finds that counties should likewise be required to adopt their amendments to the model code within three years after the State Building Code Council adopts the State Building Code.

 

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the timeframe from six to three years for counties to adopt the statewide model building code and making conforming amendments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 212, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 212, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair