The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7029, aims to establish a certification program for independent inspectors and inspection firms to conduct inspections under the State Building Code. This program will be developed by the State Building Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee, with the approval of the Commissioner of Administrative Services. It will include classifications for inspectors and firms, detailing their duties, responsibilities, minimum qualifications, and insurance requirements. Additionally, an oversight and audit program will be implemented to ensure the quality and consistency of inspections performed by certified entities.

The bill also allows the State Building Inspector to charge a reasonable application fee for certification, with provisions for fee waivers for individuals who can demonstrate financial hardship. The Commissioner is empowered to adopt regulations to facilitate the implementation of this certification program. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and introduces new legal language to current law while deleting outdated provisions.