The bill amends several sections of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3, which governs the State Building Code, to enhance the authority and structure of the building code standards committee and the state building code office. Key provisions include the establishment of a building code standards committee with a majority required for action or decision, which will have the authority to adopt and promulgate a state building code. The committee will incorporate the International Residential Code and the Commercial International Building Code from the International Code Council (ICC) for various types of dwellings and commercial structures, and it mandates compliance with the latest National Electrical Code for all electrical work.

The bill also establishes a state building code office within the office of the state fire marshal, which will be headed by the state building code commissioner. The commissioner will be a member of the classified service and will oversee code enforcement, including the development of a technology and implementation plan for electronic permitting. The bill outlines the qualifications and responsibilities of the state building code commissioner, including the collection of electronic permitting fees to support the office.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 42-35-2.9 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-35 to require agencies to conduct a regulatory analysis for proposed rules prior to publishing notice of rulemaking. This analysis must assess the benefits and costs of regulatory alternatives and justify any overlaps with existing regulations. The bill establishes a timeline for completing regulatory analyses related to amendments to the state fire safety code and building code, requiring these to be finished within 150 days of a recommendation for passage. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5804: 23-28.2-1
5804  SUB A: 23-28.2-1, 42-35-2.9
5804  SUB A as amended: 23-28.2-1, 42-35-2.9
5804  SUB B: 23-28.2-1, 42-35-2.9
5804  SUB B as amended: 23-28.2-1, 42-35-2.9