The bill amends several sections of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3, which governs the State Building Code, to enhance the structure and authority 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 the state building code. The committee's authority is clarified to include the adoption of codes for one- to four-family dwellings using the International Residential Code from the International Code Council (ICC), as well as codes for multiple dwellings with more than four residential units, hotels, motels, and other commercial structures using the Commercial International Building Code from the ICC. The bill mandates that all electrical work in the state comply with the latest edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC), which the committee will adopt.

Additionally, the bill establishes a state building code office within the office of the state fire marshal, which will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the building code. The state building code commissioner, who will be a member of the classified service, will be appointed to oversee code enforcement and develop a standardized electronic permitting system. The bill also outlines the qualifications and responsibilities of the state building code commissioner.

Furthermore, 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 evaluate 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 the state fire safety code and building code amendments, mandating completion within 150 days of a recommendation for passage. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
1089: 23-28.2-1, 42-35-2.9
1089  SUB A: 23-28.2-1, 42-35-2.9
1089  SUB A as amended: 23-28.2-1, 42-35-2.9