HB198 Enrolled is a comprehensive bill that introduces significant changes to the Alabama building codes and construction trade education. The bill establishes the Alabama Residential Building Code and the Alabama Residential Energy Code, which will be enforced by local jurisdictions with permitting and inspection programs. It also sets up the Alabama Residential Building Code Division within the Home Builders Licensure Board and creates the Alabama Residential Building Code Fund in the State Treasury. The bill repeals Article 5, which pertains to the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board, and mandates that local building codes adopted or amended after January 1, 2027, must meet the minimum standards of the Alabama Residential Building Code. The bill includes insertions such as the establishment of the Alabama Residential Building Code and the definition of new terms, as well as deletions like the removal of the term "natural person" and changes to licensure language.

Additionally, HB198 Enrolled focuses on the enforcement of building codes and the licensing process for residential home builders. It grants the Home Builders Licensure Board the authority to adopt the Alabama Residential Building Code and the Alabama Residential Energy Code, and requires local jurisdictions to enforce these codes without superseding any local residential building code in effect as of January 1, 2027. The bill also outlines the establishment of the Alabama Construction Trade Academy Fund to support construction trade education and the Alabama Construction Trade Advisory Council to make recommendations and ensure proper fund distribution. The bill requires residential home builders to comply with the applicable residential building code from January 1, 2027, and prohibits the adoption of building codes that restrict the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems, with certain exceptions. The bill's provisions include the creation of new sections in the Code of Alabama 1975 and the establishment of guidelines for the administration and operation of the division and fund.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34-14A-1, 34-14A-2, 34-14A-7, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-20, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-41
Engrossed: 34-14A-1, 34-14A-2, 34-14A-7, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-20, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-41
Enrolled: 34-14A-1, 34-14A-2, 34-14A-7, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-20, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-41