This bill amends the "State Uniform Construction Code Act" to enhance the authority of owners, agents, or responsible persons in charge of construction work by allowing them to independently contract with authorized private on-site inspection agencies for inspections. The bill introduces provisions for charging separate inspection fees and specifies that inspections can be conducted at mutually agreed times, including outside standard business hours if necessary. It also mandates that municipalities may require inspection fees to be paid to the enforcing agency as a condition for recognizing inspections performed by private agencies.

Additionally, the bill removes a previous requirement that limited the ability to contract with private inspection agencies to situations where local enforcing agencies failed to conduct timely inspections. This change broadens the circumstances under which private inspections can be utilized, thereby streamlining the inspection process and potentially reducing delays in construction projects. The bill emphasizes the need for compliance with conflict-of-interest provisions and establishes a framework for fee reconciliation when private inspections are conducted.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:27D-132