The bill seeks to amend the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3, specifically regarding the "State Building Code." It introduces the state building code office within the department of business regulation, which encompasses various entities including the state building code commissioner, their staff, and various boards and committees. The bill revises the state building commissioner's qualifications and duties, notably removing the requirement for them to serve as the executive secretary to the state building code standards committee and to enforce the building code in municipalities without a local official. Additionally, it modifies the permit fee structure, increasing fees for residential and commercial permits, and details the use of the additional revenue, such as funding for electronic plan review and contractor training grants. Furthermore, the bill mandates the development of a standard statewide process for electronic plan review and requires annual reporting on the progress of these implementations.

The legislation also introduces new legal language, including the designation of the state building code commissioner as the executive secretary to the state building code standards committee and the authority for the commissioner and their staff to enforce the state building code in municipalities without local officials. It establishes a building code education and training program within the state building code office, aimed at standardizing education and training for building officials and inspectors across the state. Additionally, the bill amends Section 35-4-27 regarding indirect cost recoveries on restricted receipt accounts, setting a 10% transfer to the general fund but exempting certain accounts, and adds a new "Contractor Training Restricted Receipt Account" under the Department of Labor and Training. The act is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
2990  SUB A: 35-4-27