Alabama 2023 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Bill SB136 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	SB136INTRODUCED
2	2	Page 0
3	3	1VE2LL-1
4	4	By Senator Givhan
5	5	RFD: Banking and Insurance
6	6	First Read: 23-Mar-23
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11	11	5 1VE2LL-1 03/21/2023 CMH (L)bm 2023-1156
12	12	Page 1
13	13	SYNOPSIS:
14	14	Existing law provides the Home Builders
15	15	Licensure Board with authority to adopt residential
16	16	building codes and standards of practices for
17	17	residential home builders within this state and allows
18	18	county commissions and municipalities to adopt building
19	19	laws and codes within their respective jurisdictions.
20	20	This bill would create the Alabama Residential
21	21	Building Code Advisory Council to recommend an Alabama
22	22	Residential Building Code, to be based upon the
23	23	International Residential Code and the residential
24	24	chapters of the International Energy Conservation Code,
25	25	to be adopted by the Home Builders Licensure Board.
26	26	This bill would require counties and
27	27	municipalities that enforce residential building laws
28	28	or codes, when adopting new codes or amending existing
29	29	codes, to adopt or amend the codes in accordance with
30	30	the minimum standards set by the Alabama Residential
31	31	Building Code.
32	32	This bill would require residential home
33	33	builders in this state to build, renovate, and repair
34	34	residences in accordance with the minimum standards set
35	35	by the Alabama Residential Building Code.
36	36	This bill would establish the Alabama
37	37	Residential Building Code Division within the Home
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67	67	Builders Licensure Board and provide for the authority
68	68	and jurisdiction of the division.
69	69	This bill would establish the Alabama
70	70	Residential Building Code Fund within the State
71	71	Treasury and would provide for the distribution of
72	72	funds and administration thereof by the Alabama
73	73	Residential Building Code Division for purposes of
74	74	implementing the Alabama Residential Building Code.
75	75	This bill would allow the Alabama Residential
76	76	Building Code Division to provide funds for grants
77	77	designed to promote residential building code
78	78	enforcement operations among local jurisdictions.
79	79	This bill would change the name of the Alabama
80	80	Energy and Residential Codes Board to the Alabama
81	81	Commercial Energy Code Board and would further provide
82	82	for the membership of the board.
83	83	A BILL
84	84	TO BE ENTITLED
85	85	AN ACT
86	86	Relating to building codes; to amend Section 27-2-39,
87	87	Code of Alabama 1975, to provide for a portion of fees and
88	88	taxes collected by the Department of Insurance to the Alabama
89	89	Residential Building Code Fund; to designate Sections 34-14A-1
90	90	through 34-14A-20 as Article 1 of Chapter 14A of Title 34,
91	91	Code of Alabama 1975; to amend Sections 34-14A-1, 34-14A-2,
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121	121	34-14A-7, 34-14A-12, 34-14A-20, Code of Alabama 1975, to
122	122	provide for the establishment of the Alabama Residential
123	123	Building Code and its authority; to further provide for the
124	124	practice of residential home building; to further provide for
125	125	the duties of the Home Builders Licensure Board; to add
126	126	Article 2, commencing with Section 34-14A-41, to Chapter 14A
127	127	of Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975, to establish the Alabama
128	128	Residential Building Code Division within the Home Builders
129	129	Licensure Board and provide for its duties; to establish the
130	130	Alabama Residential Building Code Fund in the State Treasury
131	131	and provide for its administration; to add Article 6A,
132	132	commencing of Section 41-9-175, to Chapter 9 of Title 41, Code
133	133	of Alabama 1975, to establish the Alabama Residential Building
134	134	Code Advisory Council and provide for its membership and
135	135	duties; to amend Sections 41-23-80, 41-23-81, 41-23-82,
136	136	41-23-84, 41-23-85, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide for the
137	137	change of the name of the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes
138	138	Board to the Alabama Commercial Energy Code Board and further
139	139	provide for the membership of the board; and to provide
140	140	requirements for certain local building codes adopted or
141	141	amended after a date certain.
142	142	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
143	143	Section 1. Section 27-2-39, Code of Alabama 1975, is
144	144	amended to read as follows:
145	145	"§27-2-39
146	146	(a) There is created a fund in the State Treasury
147	147	designated the Insurance Department Fund to be used for the
148	148	operation of the Department of Insurance. Receipts deposited
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178	178	into this fund shall be disbursed only by warrants of the
179	179	state Comptroller drawn upon the State Treasury on itemized
180	180	vouchers approved by the Commissioner of Insurance. No funds
181	181	shall be withdrawn or expended except as budgeted and allotted
182	182	according to Sections 41-4-80 to 41-4-96, inclusive, and
183	183	41-19-1 to 41-19-12, inclusive, and only in amounts as
184	184	stipulated in the general appropriations act, other
185	185	appropriation acts, or this section. At the end of each fiscal
186	186	year, any unencumbered and unexpended balance of up to 25
187	187	percent of the amount appropriated for that fiscal year shall
188	188	not revert to the State General Fund under Section 41-4-93,
189	189	but shall carry over to the next fiscal year.
190	190	(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
191	191	Commissioner of Insurance shall promptly pay all sums, fees,
192	192	taxes, licenses, renewals, and other miscellaneous charges
193	193	collected pursuant to Sections 27-2-16, 27-3-29, 27-4-2,
194	194	27-13-5, 27-13-24, 27-13-62, 27-21A-21, 27-34-6, 27-34-36,
195	195	27-34-47, and 27-39-6, other than those fines, penalties, and
196	196	deposit requirements collected pursuant to Section 27-3-29,
197	197	into the State Treasury with 50 to be distributed as follows:
198	198	(1) Fifty percent credited to the Insurance Department
199	199	Fund;.
200	200	(2) Five percent credited to the Alabama Residential
201	201	Building Code Fund.
202	202	(3) Forty-five percent credited as follows:
203	203	a. The first one million five hundred thousand dollars
204	204	($1,500,000) credited collected each fiscal year to be
205	205	credited to the Center for Risk and Insurance Research Fund ;
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235	235	and the remainder .
236	236	b. The remaining balance credited to the State General
237	237	Fund."
238	238	Section 2. Sections 34-4A-1 through 34-14A-20 are
239	239	designated as Article 1 of Chapter 14A, Title 34, Code of
240	240	Alabama 1975.
241	241	Section 3. Sections 34-14A-1, 34-14A-2, 34-14A-7,
242	242	34-14A-12, and 34-14A-20, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to
243	243	read as follows:
244	244	"§34-14A-1
245	245	(a) In the interest of the public health, safety,
246	246	welfare, and consumer protection , and to regulate the home
247	247	building and private residence construction industry, the
248	248	purpose of this chapter , and the intent of the Legislature in
249	249	passing it, is to:
250	250	(1) To provide for the licensure of those persons who
251	251	engage in home building, private residence construction, and
252	252	home improvement industries, including remodeling , and to.
253	253	provide home building standards
254	254	(2) To establish an Alabama Residential Building Code.
255	255	(3) To provide guidance, assistance, promotion, and
256	256	support for code inspections of residential construction. and
257	257	to
258	258	(4) To support education within the construction trades
259	259	and construction inspections in the State of Alabama.
260	260	(b) The Legislature recognizes that the home building
261	261	and home improvement construction industries are significant
262	262	industries. Home builders may pose significant and that
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292	292	significant harm to the public may result from the provision
293	293	of when unqualified, incompetent, or dishonest home builders
294	294	and remodelers provide inadequate, unsafe, or inferior
295	295	building services by unqualified, incompetent, or dishonest
296	296	home builders and remodelers . The Legislature finds it
297	297	necessary to regulate the residential home building and home
298	298	improvement industries."
299	299	"§34-14A-2
300	300	As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have
301	301	the following meanings, respectively, unless the context
302	302	clearly indicates otherwise:
303	303	(1) ADVERTISING. Engaging or offering to engage in any
304	304	acts or services as a residential home builder by the act or
305	305	practice of offering for sale professional services by
306	306	promoting those services through print, radio or television
307	307	media, on billboards, through social media, through
308	308	promotional sponsorships, on vehicles, by the placement of
309	309	signs in front of ongoing or completed worksites, or by
310	310	displaying credentials, including licensure, to perform
311	311	residential home building.
312	312	(2) ALABAMA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE. The code adopted
313	313	by the board, as amended by the board, and based on a
314	314	published edition of the International Residential Code, and
315	315	the residential chapters of a published edition of the
316	316	International Energy Conservation Code.
317	317	(3) APPLICABLE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE. The Alabama
318	318	Residential Building Code or a local residential building code
319	319	adopted by a county or municipality, pursuant to this chapter,
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349	349	where the construction, renovation, or repairs will take
350	350	place.
351	351	(1) ADVISORY COUNCIL. The Alabama Construction Trade
352	352	Advisory Council.
353	353	(2)(4) BOARD. The Home Builders Licensure Board.
354	354	(5) BUILDING INSPECTOR. An individual who performs
355	355	inspections upon any structure governed by this chapter on
356	356	behalf of any local or state governing authority or as a
357	357	private code inspector as provided in this chapter.
358	358	(6) CODE INSPECTION. The oversight, review, and
359	359	approval of the phases of residential home building,
360	360	including, but not limited to, the inspection of foundation,
361	361	framing, plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, air
362	362	conditioning, roof, rough-in, and final inspection phase,
363	363	conducted on behalf of either a local or state governing
364	364	authority or by a private code inspector as required by a
365	365	local jurisdiction or the Alabama Residential Building Code.
366	366	(3)(7) COST OF THE UNDERTAKING. The total cost of the
367	367	materials, labor, supervision, overhead, and profit.
368	368	(8) COUNCIL. The Alabama Residential Building Code
369	369	Advisory Council.
370	370	(9) DIVISION. The Alabama Residential Building Code
371	371	Division.
372	372	(4)(10) HOMEOWNER. A person who owns and resides in or
373	373	intends to reside in a structure constructed or remodeled by a
374	374	licensee of the board, or who contracts with a licensee for
375	375	the purchase, construction, repair, improvement, or
376	376	reimprovement of a structure to be used as a residence.
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406	406	(5)(11) IMPROVEMENT. Any site-built addition or
407	407	enhancement attached to or detached from a residence or
408	408	structure for use and enjoyment by the homeowner.
409	409	(6)(12) INACTIVE LICENSE. A license issued at the
410	410	request of a licensee, or a building official or a building
411	411	inspector, that is renewable, but that is not currently valid.
412	412	(7)(13) LICENSE. Any license issued by the board
413	413	pursuant to this chapter.
414	414	(8)(14) LICENSEE. A holder of any license issued
415	415	pursuant to this chapter.
416	416	(9)(15) PERSON. Any natural person individual, limited
417	417	or general partnership, corporation, association, limited
418	418	liability company, or other legal entity, or any combination
419	419	thereof.
420	420	(10)(16) QUALIFYING REPRESENTATIVE. The individual
421	421	designated by a general partnership, limited partnership,
422	422	corporation, limited liability company, or not-for-profit
423	423	organization applying for a license who either holds a license
424	424	individually or meets the experience and ability requirements
425	425	for licensure, and who is one of the following:
426	426	a. A general partner in the case of any partnership.
427	427	b. An officer in the case of a corporation.
428	428	c. A member in the case of a member-managed limited
429	429	liability company.
430	430	d. A manager in the case of a manager-managed limited
431	431	liability company.
432	432	e. An individual who is affiliated with one of the
433	433	member entities of the limited liability company and who has
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463	463	been identified and authorized through the operating agreement
464	464	to manage day-to-day operations as it relates to operations of
465	465	the limited liability company for purposes of licensure.
466	466	(11)(17) RESIDENCE. A single unit providing complete
467	467	independent residential living facilities for one or more
468	468	persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping,
469	469	eating, cooking, and sanitation.
470	470	(12)(18) RESIDENTIAL HOME BUILDER. A person who
471	471	constructs a residence or structure for sale or who, for a
472	472	fixed price, commission, fee, or wage, undertakes or offers to
473	473	undertake the construction or superintending of the
474	474	construction, or who manages, supervises, assists, or provides
475	475	consultation to a homeowner regarding the construction or
476	476	superintending of the construction, of any residence or
477	477	structure that is not over three floors in height and that
478	478	does not have more than four residential units, or the repair,
479	479	improvement, or reimprovement thereof, to be used by another
480	480	as a residence when the cost of the undertaking exceeds ten
481	481	thousand dollars ($10,000). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
482	482	term includes a residential roofer when the cost of the
483	483	undertaking exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars
484	484	($2,500). Nothing herein shall prevent any person from
485	485	performing these acts on his or her own residence or on his or
486	486	her other real estate holdings. Anyone who engages or offers
487	487	to engage in any acts described in this subdivision, through
488	488	advertising or otherwise, shall be deemed to have engaged in
489	489	the business of residential home building.
490	490	(13)(19) RESIDENTIAL ROOFER. A person who installs
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520	520	products or repairs surfaces on the external upper covering of
521	521	a residence or structure that seals, waterproofs, or
522	522	weatherproofs the residence or structure.
523	523	(14)(20) STRUCTURE. A residence on a single lot,
524	524	including a site-built home, a condominium, a duplex or
525	525	multi-unit residential building consisting of not more than
526	526	four residential units, or any improvement thereto.
527	527	(15)(21) TRANSACTION. The act of entering into a
528	528	contract with a licensee to engage in the business of
529	529	residential home building."
530	530	"§34-14A-7
531	531	(a) Any residential home builder who desires to receive
532	532	a new or renewal license under this chapter shall make and
533	533	file with the board 30 days prior to the next meeting of the
534	534	board a written application on a form prescribed by the board.
535	535	Each applicant shall be a citizen of the United States or, if
536	536	not a citizen of the United States, a person who is legally
537	537	present in the United States with appropriate documentation
538	538	from the federal government. Such The application shall be
539	539	accompanied by the payment of the annual license fee required
540	540	by the board. After the board accepts the application, the
541	541	applicant may be examined by the board at its next meeting.
542	542	The board, in examining the applicant, shall consider the
543	543	following qualifications of the applicant:
544	544	(1) Experience.
545	545	(2) Ability.
546	546	(3) Character.
547	547	(4) Business-related financial condition.
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577	577	a. The board may require a financial statement on a
578	578	form prescribed by the board and a public records search
579	579	directly from a credit reporting agency.
580	580	b. The board may require a positive net worth or other
581	581	evidence of business-related financial condition sufficient to
582	582	reasonably satisfy the board of the applicant's financial
583	583	responsibility.
584	584	c. The board may require that business-related
585	585	judgments, judgment liens, and other perfected liens must be
586	586	satisfied and released.
587	587	d. Any information obtained by the board pursuant to
588	588	this subsection relating to the financial condition of an
589	589	applicant shall not be public information.
590	590	(5) Ability and willingness to serve the public and
591	591	conserve the public health and safety.
592	592	(6) Any other pertinent information the board may
593	593	require.
594	594	(b)(1) If the board finds the applicant qualified to
595	595	engage in residential home building in Alabama, the applicant
596	596	shall be issued a license. An applicant rejected by the board
597	597	shall be given an opportunity to be reexamined after a new
598	598	application has been filed and an additional application fee
599	599	paid.
600	600	(2) A record shall be made and preserved by the board
601	601	of each examination and the findings of the board pertaining
602	602	to the examination. A copy of the record shall be made
603	603	available to any applicant requesting it upon the payment of a
604	604	reasonable fee to the board.
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634	634	(c) The board, by rule, may require proof of and
635	635	maintenance of insurance as a qualification for licensure.
636	636	(d) The board, by rule, may establish or adopt, or
637	637	both, education requirements and may approve, administer, or
638	638	financially support the program or programs providing
639	639	residential construction education.
640	640	(e)(1) Each licensee shall notify the board within 10
641	641	days after notice of the institution of any criminal
642	642	prosecution against him or her. The notification shall be in
643	643	writing, by certified mail, and shall include a copy of the
644	644	specific charge made together with a copy of the indictment,
645	645	information, or complaint, affidavit, and warrant making the
646	646	charges.
647	647	(2) Each licensee shall notify the board in writing by
648	648	certified mail within 10 days after he or she receives the
649	649	notice that any criminal verdict has been rendered against him
650	650	or her, or that a criminal action pending against him or her
651	651	has been dismissed.
652	652	(f) Each licensee shall utilize use a valid written
653	653	contract when engaging in the business of residential home
654	654	building. In addition to any other requirements provided by
655	655	law, the contract shall contain the licensee's license number
656	656	issued by the board.
657	657	(g) Whenever a licensee engages in advertising, the
658	658	licensee shall ensure that the licensee's valid license number
659	659	issued by the board is displayed.
660	660	(h) A contract for the performance of work and
661	661	activities for which a license is required by this chapter
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670	670	317
671	671	318
672	672	319
673	673	320
674	674	321
675	675	322
676	676	323
677	677	324
678	678	325
679	679	326
680	680	327
681	681	328
682	682	329
683	683	330
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685	685	332
686	686	333
687	687	334
688	688	335
689	689	336 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
690	690	Page 13
691	691	shall provide the following disclosure information:
692	692	(1) That the work is performed in compliance with
693	693	either the adopted residential building code in a local
694	694	jurisdiction or the Alabama Residential Building Code as
695	695	adopted by the board and enforced in those local jurisdictions
696	696	without an adopted residential building code.
697	697	(2) Unless the inspection has been waived pursuant to
698	698	subsection (i), that the work has been inspected by the local
699	699	jurisdiction or inspected by private code inspectors where the
700	700	local jurisdiction does not have an inspection program; except
701	701	that if a local jurisdiction has not adopted a residential
702	702	building code or does not have an inspection program, the
703	703	local jurisdiction shall not be responsible for the conduct of
704	704	a private code inspector.
705	705	(i) A residential building code inspection may be
706	706	waived only as provided in this subsection:
707	707	(1) A homeowner, subject to the provisions of Section
708	708	34-14A-6, or a licensee, may waive code inspections within a
709	709	local jurisdiction without an adopted residential building
710	710	code. The waiver shall include both of the following:
711	711	a. A signed acknowledgment by the homeowner that
712	712	mortgage and insurance providers may require proof of code
713	713	inspections as a condition of lending and insuring.
714	714	b. Any code inspection rebate voucher for which the
715	715	homeowner is eligible, as well as the rebate voucher
716	716	requirements when private code inspections are the only
717	717	option.
718	718	(2) Prior to the commencement of any construction on a
719	719	337
720	720	338
721	721	339
722	722	340
723	723	341
724	724	342
725	725	343
726	726	344
727	727	345
728	728	346
729	729	347
730	730	348
731	731	349
732	732	350
733	733	351
734	734	352
735	735	353
736	736	354
737	737	355
738	738	356
739	739	357
740	740	358
741	741	359
742	742	360
743	743	361
744	744	362
745	745	363
746	746	364 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
747	747	Page 14
748	748	residential structure within a local jurisdiction without an
749	749	adopted residential building code or inspection program, a
750	750	licensee may waive a private code inspection on the
751	751	residential structure by doing all of the following:
752	752	a. Disclosing the waiver in any contract for purchase
753	753	or sale within the local jurisdiction.
754	754	b. Disclosing to the homeowner that the homeowner may
755	755	request a code inspection of the work to the extent
756	756	practicable and that code inspections may be required by
757	757	insurance and mortgage providers.
758	758	c. Disclosing to the homeowner, prior to a contract for
759	759	purchase of the residential structure, that any code
760	760	inspections have been waived.
761	761	d. Having the waiver of private code inspections signed
762	762	by the homeowner and the licensee.
763	763	(3)a. Except as provided in paragraph b., no
764	764	inspections shall be waived in a local jurisdiction with an
765	765	adopted residential building code.
766	766	b. In a local jurisdiction with an adopted residential
767	767	building code, where the local jurisdiction only permits but
768	768	does not inspect, or that performs some but not all
769	769	inspections, only the non-inspected phases by the local
770	770	jurisdiction may be waived, provided the applicable disclosure
771	771	requirements described in subdivisions (1) or (2) are made.
772	772	(4) A local jurisdiction that has not adopted a
773	773	residential building code or does not have an inspection
774	774	program shall not be responsible for any harm related to
775	775	residential construction that occur following the execution of
776	776	365
777	777	366
778	778	367
779	779	368
780	780	369
781	781	370
782	782	371
783	783	372
784	784	373
785	785	374
786	786	375
787	787	376
788	788	377
789	789	378
790	790	379
791	791	380
792	792	381
793	793	382
794	794	383
795	795	384
796	796	385
797	797	386
798	798	387
799	799	388
800	800	389
801	801	390
802	802	391
803	803	392 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
804	804	Page 15
805	805	a waiver.
806	806	(g)(j) When any residential home building to be
807	807	performed will comply with a program designed to enhance the
808	808	resiliency of the structure beyond the requirements of the
809	809	applicable building codes, the licensee shall disclose this
810	810	compliance to the homeowner in writing prior to the
811	811	commencement of the residential home building.
812	812	(h)(1)(k)(1) Any licensee who desires to receive an
813	813	inactive license shall make and file with the board a written
814	814	application for an inactive license on a form prescribed by
815	815	the board prior to the expiration of his or her current
816	816	license. The application shall be accompanied by the payment
817	817	of the annual inactive license fee required by the board. No
818	818	act for which a license is required may be performed under an
819	819	inactive license. In the event a person holding a current
820	820	inactive license applies for a license, he or she may rely
821	821	upon his or her inactive license as evidence of the experience
822	822	and ability requirements for licensure under subdivisions (1)
823	823	and (2) of subsection (a).
824	824	(2) A person holding an expired license who seeks to
825	825	reactivate his or her license within three years of the date
826	826	of expiration shall be deemed to have satisfied the experience
827	827	and ability requirements for licensure if application is made
828	828	within the three-year time period and all other licensing
829	829	requirements pursuant to subsection (a) have been met.
830	830	(3) Any building official or building inspector who
831	831	desires to receive an inactive license shall make and file
832	832	with the board 30 days prior to the next meeting of the board
833	833	393
834	834	394
835	835	395
836	836	396
837	837	397
838	838	398
839	839	399
840	840	400
841	841	401
842	842	402
843	843	403
844	844	404
845	845	405
846	846	406
847	847	407
848	848	408
849	849	409
850	850	410
851	851	411
852	852	412
853	853	413
854	854	414
855	855	415
856	856	416
857	857	417
858	858	418
859	859	419
860	860	420 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
861	861	Page 16
862	862	a written application for an inactive license on a form
863	863	prescribed by the board. After the board accepts the
864	864	application, the applicant may be examined by the board at its
865	865	next board meeting. The board, in examining the applicant,
866	866	shall consider the following qualifications of the applicant
867	867	as satisfying the experience and ability requirements for
868	868	licensure:
869	869	a. That the building inspector is an employee of the
870	870	United States, the State of Alabama, or any municipality,
871	871	county, or other political subdivision and, by virtue of that
872	872	employment, is exempted or prohibited by law from holding a
873	873	license; and
874	874	b. That the building inspector does any of the
875	875	following:
876	876	1. Maintains current certification from the Southern
877	877	Building Code Congress International as one of the following:
878	878	(i) Chief building official.
879	879	(ii) Deputy building official.
880	880	(iii) Building inspector.
881	881	(iv) Housing inspector.
882	882	(v) Design professional.
883	883	(vi) Plan reviewer.
884	884	2. Maintains current certification from the
885	885	International Code Council as one of the following:
886	886	(i) Certified building official.
887	887	(ii) Building inspector.
888	888	(iii) Residential building inspector.
889	889	(iv) Property maintenance and housing inspector.
890	890	421
891	891	422
892	892	423
893	893	424
894	894	425
895	895	426
896	896	427
897	897	428
898	898	429
899	899	430
900	900	431
901	901	432
902	902	433
903	903	434
904	904	435
905	905	436
906	906	437
907	907	438
908	908	439
909	909	440
910	910	441
911	911	442
912	912	443
913	913	444
914	914	445
915	915	446
916	916	447
917	917	448 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
918	918	Page 17
919	919	(v) Building plans examiner.
920	920	(vi) Design professional.
921	921	3. Possesses sufficient building qualifications and
922	922	experience to receive a license, as demonstrated by
923	923	satisfactory evidence presented to the board.
924	924	(4) In the event a building official or building
925	925	inspector holding a current inactive license applies for a
926	926	license, he or she may rely upon his or her inactive license
927	927	as evidence of the experience and ability requirements for
928	928	licensure under subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a)."
929	929	"§34-14A-12
930	930	(a) The board may establish or adopt residential
931	931	building codes and standards of practice for residential home
932	932	builders within the state. A residential building code or
933	933	standard of practice adopted or established by the board does
934	934	not supersede or otherwise exempt residential home builders
935	935	from a local building law or code adopted by the governing
936	936	body of a county or municipality or from a local or general
937	937	law.
938	938	(a)(1) The board shall adopt a minimum statewide
939	939	residential building code, called the Alabama Residential
940	940	Building Code, based upon the recommendations of the Alabama
941	941	Residential Building Code Advisory Council pursuant to
942	942	Article 6A of Chapter 9 of Title 41.
943	943	(2) The board shall establish minimum standards for
944	944	private code inspectors for the areas of the state where no
945	945	local jurisdiction is operating a residential permitting and
946	946	inspection program.
947	947	449
948	948	450
949	949	451
950	950	452
951	951	453
952	952	454
953	953	455
954	954	456
955	955	457
956	956	458
957	957	459
958	958	460
959	959	461
960	960	462
961	961	463
962	962	464
963	963	465
964	964	466
965	965	467
966	966	468
967	967	469
968	968	470
969	969	471
970	970	472
971	971	473
972	972	474
973	973	475
974	974	476 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
975	975	Page 18
976	976	(b)(1) This section shall be the sole statewide
977	977	statutory authority establishing minimum standards for
978	978	residential construction within this state.
979	979	(2) A local building code adopted or amended by any
980	980	county or municipality after October 1, 2023, shall meet the
981	981	minimum standards of the Alabama Residential Building Code in
982	982	effect at the time of the local building code adoption or
983	983	amendment and shall not exceed the energy provisions of the
984	984	Alabama Residential Building Code, unless compliance with any
985	985	federal mandate requires such adoption or amendment.
986	986	(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
987	987	contrary:
988	988	a. The Alabama Residential Building Code does not
989	989	supersede any local residential building code adopted by any
990	990	county or municipality prior to October 1, 2023.
991	991	b. The Alabama Residential Building Code does not apply
992	992	to any agricultural building except for any residence
993	993	contained therein.
994	994	(b)(c)(1) The county commissions of the several
995	995	counties A county commission, by resolution, may adopt
996	996	building laws and codes by ordinance which that shall apply in
997	997	the unincorporated areas of the county. The county commission
998	998	shall provide a copy of any resolution adopted pursuant to
999	999	this subsection to the board within 10 business days of
1000	1000	adopting the resolution.
1001	1001	(2) A local building law or code adopted pursuant to
1002	1002	this subsection may not take effect until 120 days after the
1003	1003	resolution was adopted; provided, in the case of an insurance
1004	1004	477
1005	1005	478
1006	1006	479
1007	1007	480
1008	1008	481
1009	1009	482
1010	1010	483
1011	1011	484
1012	1012	485
1013	1013	486
1014	1014	487
1015	1015	488
1016	1016	489
1017	1017	490
1018	1018	491
1019	1019	492
1020	1020	493
1021	1021	494
1022	1022	495
1023	1023	496
1024	1024	497
1025	1025	498
1026	1026	499
1027	1027	500
1028	1028	501
1029	1029	502
1030	1030	503
1031	1031	504 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1032	1032	Page 19
1033	1033	claim requiring work and activities for which a license is
1034	1034	required by this chapter, the effective date for the building
1035	1035	law or code shall be the date of adoption by the local
1036	1036	jurisdiction.
1037	1037	(3) TheExcept as provided in Section 11-40-10(b)(2),
1038	1038	the building laws and codes of the county commission shall not
1039	1039	apply within any municipal police jurisdiction outside of the
1040	1040	corporate limits of the municipality , in which that
1041	1041	municipality is exercising its building laws or codes, without
1042	1042	the express consent of the governing body of that
1043	1043	municipality. The building laws and codes of the county
1044	1044	commission may apply within the corporate limits of any
1045	1045	municipality only with the express consent of the governing
1046	1046	body of the municipality.
1047	1047	(4) The county commission may employ building
1048	1048	inspectors to see that its laws or codes are not violated and
1049	1049	that the plans and specifications for buildings are not in
1050	1050	conflict with the ordinanceslaws and codes of the county and
1051	1051	may exact fees to be paid by the owners of the property
1052	1052	inspected.
1053	1053	(5) The county commission, by resolution, may
1054	1054	discontinue its administration and enforcement of the building
1055	1055	laws and codes. However, the discontinuation shall not take
1056	1056	effect until 120 days after the resolution was adopted. The
1057	1057	county commission shall provide a copy of the resolution to
1058	1058	the board within 10 business days of adopting the resolution.
1059	1059	(c)(d) Utilizing the same authority and procedures as
1060	1060	municipalities pursuant to Sections 11-53A-20 to 11-53A-26,
1061	1061	505
1062	1062	506
1063	1063	507
1064	1064	508
1065	1065	509
1066	1066	510
1067	1067	511
1068	1068	512
1069	1069	513
1070	1070	514
1071	1071	515
1072	1072	516
1073	1073	517
1074	1074	518
1075	1075	519
1076	1076	520
1077	1077	521
1078	1078	522
1079	1079	523
1080	1080	524
1081	1081	525
1082	1082	526
1083	1083	527
1084	1084	528
1085	1085	529
1086	1086	530
1087	1087	531
1088	1088	532 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1089	1089	Page 20
1090	1090	inclusive, the county commission may condemn buildings, parts
1091	1091	of buildings, or structures dangerous to the public and
1092	1092	prohibit the use thereof and abate the same as a nuisance.
1093	1093	(d)(e) The county commissions, municipalities, and
1094	1094	other public entities may enter into mutual agreements,
1095	1095	compacts, and contracts for the administration and enforcement
1096	1096	of their respective building laws and codes. A county
1097	1097	commission or municipality shall provide a copy of the mutual
1098	1098	agreement, compact, or contract to the board within 10
1099	1099	business days of its execution.
1100	1100	(f) A county commission or municipality shall provide
1101	1101	to the board a copy of any resolution, ordinance, or agreement
1102	1102	adopted pursuant to Section 11-40-10(b)(2) within 10 business
1103	1103	days of its adoption.
1104	1104	(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to
1105	1105	restrict the power of any county or municipality to adopt and
1106	1106	enforce local building laws or codes that either comply with
1107	1107	or exceed the minimum standards of the Alabama Residential
1108	1108	Building Code; provided the local laws or codes are adopted or
1109	1109	amended in accordance with this chapter. "
1110	1110	"§34-14A-20
1111	1111	(a) The Alabama Construction Trade Academy Fund is
1112	1112	established in the State Treasury. The fund shall be comprised
1113	1113	of federal, state, and private funding through direct
1114	1114	budgetary funding and grants for the expansion of construction
1115	1115	trade education. To the extent practicable, monies in the fund
1116	1116	shall be used to leverage other forms of funding from private
1117	1117	sources. A percentage of matching funds, as established by the
1118	1118	533
1119	1119	534
1120	1120	535
1121	1121	536
1122	1122	537
1123	1123	538
1124	1124	539
1125	1125	540
1126	1126	541
1127	1127	542
1128	1128	543
1129	1129	544
1130	1130	545
1131	1131	546
1132	1132	547
1133	1133	548
1134	1134	549
1135	1135	550
1136	1136	551
1137	1137	552
1138	1138	553
1139	1139	554
1140	1140	555
1141	1141	556
1142	1142	557
1143	1143	558
1144	1144	559
1145	1145	560 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1146	1146	Page 21
1147	1147	advisory council, must come from private, non-governmental
1148	1148	sources. The board may not use more than 15 percent of the
1149	1149	monies in the fund for administrative and operational costs
1150	1150	incurred in the implementation and administration of this
1151	1151	section.
1152	1152	(b) The board, in cooperation with public and private
1153	1153	sector partners, shall establish a program to provide funding
1154	1154	mechanisms for tool grants, program incentives, supplies,
1155	1155	mobile facilities, and other programs to support the
1156	1156	development and continuation of construction trade education
1157	1157	programs in the state.
1158	1158	(c) The board shall administer the program and shallmay
1159	1159	apply for funds from federal grant programs and other
1160	1160	applicable funding sources authorized by law.
1161	1161	(d)(1) The Alabama Construction Trade Advisory Council
1162	1162	is established. The advisory council shall consist of the
1163	1163	following members:
1164	1164	a. One member appointed by and currently serving on the
1165	1165	Home Builders Licensure Board.
1166	1166	b. One member appointed by and currently serving on the
1167	1167	State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board.
1168	1168	c. One member appointed by and currently serving on the
1169	1169	Licensing Board for General Contractors.
1170	1170	d. One member appointed by and currently serving on the
1171	1171	State Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
1172	1172	Contractors.
1173	1173	e. One member appointed by and currently serving on the
1174	1174	Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors.
1175	1175	561
1176	1176	562
1177	1177	563
1178	1178	564
1179	1179	565
1180	1180	566
1181	1181	567
1182	1182	568
1183	1183	569
1184	1184	570
1185	1185	571
1186	1186	572
1187	1187	573
1188	1188	574
1189	1189	575
1190	1190	576
1191	1191	577
1192	1192	578
1193	1193	579
1194	1194	580
1195	1195	581
1196	1196	582
1197	1197	583
1198	1198	584
1199	1199	585
1200	1200	586
1201	1201	587
1202	1202	588 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1203	1203	Page 22
1204	1204	f. One appointee of the State Department of Education
1205	1205	who specializes in technical trade education.
1206	1206	g. One appointee of the Alabama Community College
1207	1207	System who specializes in technical trade education.
1208	1208	(2) Members of the advisory council shall be appointed
1209	1209	for a period of one year. Membership on the advisory council
1210	1210	shall be without compensation, except for reimbursement of
1211	1211	necessary travel expenses as is paid to state employees for
1212	1212	attending meetings and other necessary events of the advisory
1213	1213	council. Any expenses paid to a member of the advisory council
1214	1214	shall be paid by the member's appointing authority.
1215	1215	(e) The advisory council shall make recommendations to
1216	1216	the board, and the board shall establish program guidelines,
1217	1217	promote the program statewide, evaluate applications for
1218	1218	funds, distribute funds, and monitor and report the effect of
1219	1219	the funding on the availability of construction trade
1220	1220	education. The board may adopt rules to implement and
1221	1221	administer this section.
1222	1222	(f) The advisory council shall recommend and the board
1223	1223	shall establish monitoring and accountability mechanisms for
1224	1224	projects receiving funding. Not later than the fifth
1225	1225	legislative day of each regular legislative session, the board
1226	1226	shall file a report to the Legislature on the projects funded,
1227	1227	the geographic distribution of projects funded, the private
1228	1228	sector participation rates in funded projects, the
1229	1229	administrative costs of the program, and the outcomes of the
1230	1230	program, including the number of students and adult learners
1231	1231	trained by each project funded through the program.
1232	1232	589
1233	1233	590
1234	1234	591
1235	1235	592
1236	1236	593
1237	1237	594
1238	1238	595
1239	1239	596
1240	1240	597
1241	1241	598
1242	1242	599
1243	1243	600
1244	1244	601
1245	1245	602
1246	1246	603
1247	1247	604
1248	1248	605
1249	1249	606
1250	1250	607
1251	1251	608
1252	1252	609
1253	1253	610
1254	1254	611
1255	1255	612
1256	1256	613
1257	1257	614
1258	1258	615
1259	1259	616 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1260	1260	Page 23
1261	1261	(g) The advisory council shall recommend and the board
1262	1262	shall create eligibility guidelines and provide project
1263	1263	funding through an application process. Projects eligible for
1264	1264	funding include the following:
1265	1265	(1) Mobile demonstration units that show the various
1266	1266	systems of a structure and how they interconnect.
1267	1267	(2) Tool and supply grants for public and private
1268	1268	educational providers that provide construction trade
1269	1269	education.
1270	1270	(3) Incentives for newly established construction trade
1271	1271	education courses, with priority given to carpentry courses.
1272	1272	(4) Adult education initiatives that provide continued
1273	1273	learning opportunities through mobile training facilities or
1274	1274	distance learning opportunities with priority focus on those
1275	1275	serving underserved areas and widely offered trainings.
1276	1276	(5) Any other proposal that in the opinion of the board
1277	1277	would address the need for construction trade education in the
1278	1278	state.
1279	1279	(h) An applicant may be a nonprofit organization,
1280	1280	not-for-profit entity, public school system, two-year college,
1281	1281	university, or other governmental entity. An applicant for
1282	1282	funding shall do all of the following:
1283	1283	(1) Demonstrate its capacity to successfully implement
1284	1284	the proposal.
1285	1285	(2) Demonstrate how the proposal shall positively
1286	1286	impact construction trade education in the state.
1287	1287	(3) Demonstrate private sector support through matching
1288	1288	funding.
1289	1289	617
1290	1290	618
1291	1291	619
1292	1292	620
1293	1293	621
1294	1294	622
1295	1295	623
1296	1296	624
1297	1297	625
1298	1298	626
1299	1299	627
1300	1300	628
1301	1301	629
1302	1302	630
1303	1303	631
1304	1304	632
1305	1305	633
1306	1306	634
1307	1307	635
1308	1308	636
1309	1309	637
1310	1310	638
1311	1311	639
1312	1312	640
1313	1313	641
1314	1314	642
1315	1315	643
1316	1316	644 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1317	1317	Page 24
1318	1318	(4) Establish an advisory council consisting of at
1319	1319	least three active trade representatives from the construction
1320	1320	trade being funded.
1321	1321	(5) For a period of not less than five years, agree to
1322	1322	comply with the following conditions:
1323	1323	a. Offer the courses funded through this section for a
1324	1324	period of not less than five years.
1325	1325	b. Comply with all data collection and reporting
1326	1326	requirements established by the board.
1327	1327	(i) In determining which qualified projects to fund,
1328	1328	the board shall consider all of the following factors:
1329	1329	(1) The level of private sector support for the
1330	1330	project.
1331	1331	(2) The level of need in the area in which the funding
1332	1332	is directed.
1333	1333	(3) The projected number of students that will be
1334	1334	served.
1335	1335	(4) The degree to which the project will have a
1336	1336	positive impact on the availability of construction trade
1337	1337	education in the area to be served.
1338	1338	(5) The degree to which the project will leverage
1339	1339	public and private sector funds.
1340	1340	(j) The board shall establish program guidelines that
1341	1341	require matching funds on all funded projects. A minimum of 10
1342	1342	percent of matching funds shall be provided by private,
1343	1343	non-governmental sources. Total matching funds required may
1344	1344	not be required to exceed 25 percent of awarded state funds,
1345	1345	although additional consideration may be provided to projects
1346	1346	645
1347	1347	646
1348	1348	647
1349	1349	648
1350	1350	649
1351	1351	650
1352	1352	651
1353	1353	652
1354	1354	653
1355	1355	654
1356	1356	655
1357	1357	656
1358	1358	657
1359	1359	658
1360	1360	659
1361	1361	660
1362	1362	661
1363	1363	662
1364	1364	663
1365	1365	664
1366	1366	665
1367	1367	666
1368	1368	667
1369	1369	668
1370	1370	669
1371	1371	670
1372	1372	671
1373	1373	672 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1374	1374	Page 25
1375	1375	that exceed this amount.
1376	1376	(k) In the event that a recipient of funding provided
1377	1377	by this section fails to provide the proposed project in
1378	1378	accordance with the guidelines set forth by the board, any
1379	1379	equipment, supplies, or materials acquired with the funding
1380	1380	shall be transferred to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation
1381	1381	for redistribution to public or private programs that provide
1382	1382	construction trade education to high school, postsecondary, or
1383	1383	adult learners supported by this section.
1384	1384	(l) Any and all proceeds from the sale of equipment,
1385	1385	supplies, or materials acquired through academy funding shall
1386	1386	go into the fund."
1387	1387	Section 4. Sections 34-14A-12.1 and 34-14A-12.2 are
1388	1388	added to the Code of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
1389	1389	§34-14A-12.1
1390	1390	Beginning January 1, 2027, a residential home builder
1391	1391	within this state who constructs, renovates, or repairs a
1392	1392	residence or structure shall do so in accordance with the
1393	1393	Alabama Residential Building Code adopted pursuant to Section
1394	1394	34-14A-12 or, if applicable, the local jurisdiction's
1395	1395	residential building code.
1396	1396	§34-14A-12.2
1397	1397	(a) When a residential home builder completes
1398	1398	residential construction, renovation, or repair work or
1399	1399	activities for which a license is required by this chapter,
1400	1400	the homeowner shall provide to the insurance and mortgage
1401	1401	provider all code inspection reports, the certification of
1402	1402	occupancy, or if applicable, any executed waiver of code
1403	1403	673
1404	1404	674
1405	1405	675
1406	1406	676
1407	1407	677
1408	1408	678
1409	1409	679
1410	1410	680
1411	1411	681
1412	1412	682
1413	1413	683
1414	1414	684
1415	1415	685
1416	1416	686
1417	1417	687
1418	1418	688
1419	1419	689
1420	1420	690
1421	1421	691
1422	1422	692
1423	1423	693
1424	1424	694
1425	1425	695
1426	1426	696
1427	1427	697
1428	1428	698
1429	1429	699
1430	1430	700 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1431	1431	Page 26
1432	1432	inspections signed by the homeowner and licensee, as provided
1433	1433	in Section 34-14A-7.
1434	1434	(b) After closing or receiving the certificate of
1435	1435	insurance, the homeowner, pursuant to policies established by
1436	1436	the board by rule, may apply for a rebate voucher for the
1437	1437	private code inspection of work performed by a licensee.
1438	1438	(c)(1) The board shall adopt rules to establish the
1439	1439	specific eligibility requirements and amount of rebate
1440	1440	voucher.
1441	1441	(2) A homeowner shall be ineligible for a rebate
1442	1442	voucher if the inspected residence or structure was subject to
1443	1443	a local jurisdiction's permitting and inspection program.
1444	1444	§34-14A-12.3
1445	1445	(a) Beginning on October 1, 2023, the Home Builders
1446	1446	Licensure Board and any municipal or county governing body may
1447	1447	not adopt or amend a building code, ordinance, resolution, or
1448	1448	rule that would restrict a consumer's ability to elect to
1449	1449	install, by the consumer's choice and for a fee, or require
1450	1450	the installation of, a residential fire sprinkler system in
1451	1451	any residence.
1452	1452	(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a county commission
1453	1453	or municipal governing body that adopted any ordinance,
1454	1454	resolution, or other building code on or before March 9, 2010,
1455	1455	relating to the installation of a residential fire sprinkler
1456	1456	system, may continue to enforce or amend the ordinance,
1457	1457	resolution, or building code.
1458	1458	Section 5. Article 2, commencing with Sections
1459	1459	34-14A-41, is added to Chapter 14A of Title 34, Code of
1460	1460	701
1461	1461	702
1462	1462	703
1463	1463	704
1464	1464	705
1465	1465	706
1466	1466	707
1467	1467	708
1468	1468	709
1469	1469	710
1470	1470	711
1471	1471	712
1472	1472	713
1473	1473	714
1474	1474	715
1475	1475	716
1476	1476	717
1477	1477	718
1478	1478	719
1479	1479	720
1480	1480	721
1481	1481	722
1482	1482	723
1483	1483	724
1484	1484	725
1485	1485	726
1486	1486	727
1487	1487	728 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1488	1488	Page 27
1489	1489	Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
1490	1490	Article 2.
1491	1491	§34-14A-41
1492	1492	(a)(1) The Alabama Residential Building Code Division
1493	1493	is established within the Home Builders Licensure Board. The
1494	1494	executive director of the board may employ staff as necessary
1495	1495	to carry out the duties of the division.
1496	1496	(2) The board and the division's statutory
1497	1497	administration and enforcement obligations pursuant to this
1498	1498	chapter shall be contingent upon the appropriation of funding.
1499	1499	(b) The division shall be responsible for taking action
1500	1500	upon any and all recommendations made by the Alabama
1501	1501	Residential Building Code Advisory Council and ratified by the
1502	1502	board for the furtherance of its statutory purpose.
1503	1503	§34-14A-42
1504	1504	The executive director of the board may employ staff
1505	1505	necessary to carry out the duties of the division, including a
1506	1506	division administrator, programs support personnel,
1507	1507	administrative support personnel, and any other personnel
1508	1508	necessary to carry out the statutory purpose of the division
1509	1509	for the administration, implementation, and enforcement of the
1510	1510	Alabama Residential Building Code.
1511	1511	§34-14A-43
1512	1512	(a) The division shall use funds distributed to the
1513	1513	Alabama Residential Building Code Fund for the purpose of
1514	1514	administrating and enforcing the Alabama Residential Building
1515	1515	Code.
1516	1516	(b) The division shall do all of the following:
1517	1517	729
1518	1518	730
1519	1519	731
1520	1520	732
1521	1521	733
1522	1522	734
1523	1523	735
1524	1524	736
1525	1525	737
1526	1526	738
1527	1527	739
1528	1528	740
1529	1529	741
1530	1530	742
1531	1531	743
1532	1532	744
1533	1533	745
1534	1534	746
1535	1535	747
1536	1536	748
1537	1537	749
1538	1538	750
1539	1539	751
1540	1540	752
1541	1541	753
1542	1542	754
1543	1543	755
1544	1544	756 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1545	1545	Page 28
1546	1546	(1) Establish and administer a rebate voucher program
1547	1547	for homeowners to seek reimbursement for private code
1548	1548	inspections, where applicable, for work performed by
1549	1549	licensees.
1550	1550	(2) Provide funds to local jurisdictions to assist with
1551	1551	residential building code adoption and enforcement, including,
1552	1552	but not limited to, assisting with the development of local
1553	1553	government cooperatives for the permitting, inspection, and
1554	1554	enforcement of a residential building code in the respective
1555	1555	jurisdiction.
1556	1556	(3) Provide standards and certification requirements
1557	1557	for private code inspectors, including, but not limited to,
1558	1558	International Code Council certifications, licensed
1559	1559	architects, licensed structural engineers, and licensed home
1560	1560	builders.
1561	1561	(4) Provide incentives for and promote code inspectors
1562	1562	for local jurisdictions that do not have a residential
1563	1563	building permit and inspection program.
1564	1564	(c) The division may apply for funds from federal grant
1565	1565	programs and other applicable funding sources authorized by
1566	1566	law to support local adoption and implementation of the
1567	1567	Alabama Residential Building Code. The division may also
1568	1568	partner with other state agencies to receive and distribute
1569	1569	additional funds that may become available for this purpose.
1570	1570	(d) The division shall work with the State Energy
1571	1571	Office to ensure that all applicable federal regulations
1572	1572	regarding the residential energy code are met.
1573	1573	§34-14A-44
1574	1574	757
1575	1575	758
1576	1576	759
1577	1577	760
1578	1578	761
1579	1579	762
1580	1580	763
1581	1581	764
1582	1582	765
1583	1583	766
1584	1584	767
1585	1585	768
1586	1586	769
1587	1587	770
1588	1588	771
1589	1589	772
1590	1590	773
1591	1591	774
1592	1592	775
1593	1593	776
1594	1594	777
1595	1595	778
1596	1596	779
1597	1597	780
1598	1598	781
1599	1599	782
1600	1600	783
1601	1601	784 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1602	1602	Page 29
1603	1603	(a) For those structures located outside of any local
1604	1604	jurisdiction that exercises its authority to adopt and enforce
1605	1605	a local building code, if the private code inspection has not
1606	1606	been conducted, the division shall authorize construction to
1607	1607	resume on the beginning of the following third business day
1608	1608	after a licensee has requested an inspection.
1609	1609	(b) The board shall establish a process of
1610	1610	documentation, which may include a self-reporting form,
1611	1611	electronic verification, photographic or video verification,
1612	1612	or any other method the board deem appropriate, that the home
1613	1613	builder shall perform and provide to the division and
1614	1614	inspector prior to resumption of construction.
1615	1615	§34-14A-45
1616	1616	(a) The Alabama Residential Building Code Fund is
1617	1617	established within the State Treasury. The fund shall be
1618	1618	administered by the board for the administration and operation
1619	1619	of the division and the enforcement of the Alabama Residential
1620	1620	Building Code.
1621	1621	(b) Receipts deposited into the fund shall be disbursed
1622	1622	only by warrants of the state Comptroller drawn upon the State
1623	1623	Treasury on itemized vouchers approved by the Executive
1624	1624	Director of the board.
1625	1625	(c) No funds shall be withdrawn or expended except as
1626	1626	budgeted and allotted according to Sections 41-4-80 to
1627	1627	41-4-96, Code of Alabama 1975, inclusive, and 41-19-1 to
1628	1628	41-19-12, Code of Alabama 1975, inclusive, and only in amounts
1629	1629	as stipulated in the general appropriations act, other
1630	1630	appropriation acts, or this section.
1631	1631	785
1632	1632	786
1633	1633	787
1634	1634	788
1635	1635	789
1636	1636	790
1637	1637	791
1638	1638	792
1639	1639	793
1640	1640	794
1641	1641	795
1642	1642	796
1643	1643	797
1644	1644	798
1645	1645	799
1646	1646	800
1647	1647	801
1648	1648	802
1649	1649	803
1650	1650	804
1651	1651	805
1652	1652	806
1653	1653	807
1654	1654	808
1655	1655	809
1656	1656	810
1657	1657	811
1658	1658	812 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1659	1659	Page 30
1660	1660	(d) At the end of each fiscal year, any unencumbered
1661	1661	balance of up to 25 percent of the amount appropriated for
1662	1662	that fiscal year shall not revert to the State General Fund
1663	1663	under Section 41-4-93, but shall carry over to the next fiscal
1664	1664	year within the Alabama Residential Building Code Fund, and
1665	1665	any unencumbered balance over 25 percent of the amount
1666	1666	appropriated for that fiscal year shall be transferred to the
1667	1667	Strengthen Alabama Homes Fund.
1668	1668	Section 6. Article 6A, commencing of Section 41-9-175,
1669	1669	is added to Chapter 9 of Title 41, Code of Alabama 1975, to
1670	1670	read as follows:
1671	1671	Article 6A.
1672	1672	§41-9-175
1673	1673	(a) The Alabama Residential Building Code Advisory
1674	1674	Council is established.
1675	1675	(b) The council shall consist the following members:
1676	1676	(1) The Commissioner of Insurance, or his or her
1677	1677	designee.
1678	1678	(2) The State Fire Marshal, or his or her designee.
1679	1679	(3) The Director of the Emergency Management Agency, or
1680	1680	his or her designee.
1681	1681	(4) The Executive Director of the Home Builders
1682	1682	Licensure Board, or his or her designee.
1683	1683	(5) One member appointed by the Home Builders Licensure
1684	1684	Board.
1685	1685	(6) One member appointed by the State Board of Heating,
1686	1686	Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors.
1687	1687	(7) One member appointed by the Governor to represent
1688	1688	813
1689	1689	814
1690	1690	815
1691	1691	816
1692	1692	817
1693	1693	818
1694	1694	819
1695	1695	820
1696	1696	821
1697	1697	822
1698	1698	823
1699	1699	824
1700	1700	825
1701	1701	826
1702	1702	827
1703	1703	828
1704	1704	829
1705	1705	830
1706	1706	831
1707	1707	832
1708	1708	833
1709	1709	834
1710	1710	835
1711	1711	836
1712	1712	837
1713	1713	838
1714	1714	839
1715	1715	840 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1716	1716	Page 31
1717	1717	the private, investor-owned, electric utility industry.
1718	1718	(8) One member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to
1719	1719	represent the natural gas industry.
1720	1720	(9) One member appointed by the American Council of
1721	1721	Engineering Companies of Alabama.
1722	1722	(10) One member appointed by the Alabama League of
1723	1723	Municipalities.
1724	1724	(11) One member appointed by the Association of County
1725	1725	Commissions of Alabama.
1726	1726	(12) One member appointed by the Alabama Council of the
1727	1727	American Institute of Architects.
1728	1728	(13) One member appointed by the Home Builders
1729	1729	Association of Alabama.
1730	1730	(14) One member appointed by the Code Officials
1731	1731	Association of Alabama.
1732	1732	(15) One member appointed by the Commissioner of
1733	1733	Insurance to represent the property and casualty insurance
1734	1734	industry.
1735	1735	(16) One member appointed by the State of Alabama
1736	1736	Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board.
1737	1737	(17) One member appointed by the Alabama Rural Electric
1738	1738	Association of Cooperatives to represent the rural electric
1739	1739	cooperative industry.
1740	1740	(c) The appointing authorities shall coordinate their
1741	1741	appointments to assure that membership of the council is
1742	1742	inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban,
1743	1743	rural, and economic diversity of the state.
1744	1744	(d) Each of the appointed members of the council shall
1745	1745	841
1746	1746	842
1747	1747	843
1748	1748	844
1749	1749	845
1750	1750	846
1751	1751	847
1752	1752	848
1753	1753	849
1754	1754	850
1755	1755	851
1756	1756	852
1757	1757	853
1758	1758	854
1759	1759	855
1760	1760	856
1761	1761	857
1762	1762	858
1763	1763	859
1764	1764	860
1765	1765	861
1766	1766	862
1767	1767	863
1768	1768	864
1769	1769	865
1770	1770	866
1771	1771	867
1772	1772	868 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1773	1773	Page 32
1774	1774	be appointed for a six-year term, the term to begin on January
1775	1775	1, 2024, and may be reappointed for a second six-year term
1776	1776	pursuant to the appointing authority.
1777	1777	§41-9-175.01
1778	1778	(a) The first meeting of the council shall be called by
1779	1779	the executive director of the board no later than March 1,
1780	1780	2024. The executive director shall preside until a chair and a
1781	1781	vice chair are selected by the council. The council shall
1782	1782	elect annually from its own members a chair, a vice chair, and
1783	1783	other officers as it may deem desirable.
1784	1784	(b) The council shall hold meetings at the call of the
1785	1785	chair or the recommendation of the board, to propose a
1786	1786	recommended Alabama Residential Building Code to the Home
1787	1787	Builders Licensure Board. Thereafter, the board shall meet
1788	1788	from time to time, at the call of the chair or at the request
1789	1789	of the board, to consider updates and amendments to the code.
1790	1790	Meetings shall be held at a time and place as designated or
1791	1791	specified in its rules.
1792	1792	(c) A majority of the members of the council shall
1793	1793	constitute a quorum at all of its meetings, and adoption or
1794	1794	resolution of any business shall require the concurrence of a
1795	1795	majority of all the members of the council. An agenda for the
1796	1796	meetings in sufficient detail to indicate the terms on which
1797	1797	final action is contemplated shall be submitted by the
1798	1798	administrator to the chair, vice chair, and council members
1799	1799	prior to the meeting.
1800	1800	(d) All meetings of the council shall be held in
1801	1801	accordance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act, Chapter 25A of
1802	1802	869
1803	1803	870
1804	1804	871
1805	1805	872
1806	1806	873
1807	1807	874
1808	1808	875
1809	1809	876
1810	1810	877
1811	1811	878
1812	1812	879
1813	1813	880
1814	1814	881
1815	1815	882
1816	1816	883
1817	1817	884
1818	1818	885
1819	1819	886
1820	1820	887
1821	1821	888
1822	1822	889
1823	1823	890
1824	1824	891
1825	1825	892
1826	1826	893
1827	1827	894
1828	1828	895
1829	1829	896 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1830	1830	Page 33
1831	1831	Title 36.
1832	1832	(e) The administrator of the Alabama Residential
1833	1833	Building Code Division shall serve as ex officio secretary of
1834	1834	the council, keep a record of the proceedings of all council
1835	1835	meetings, and perform other duties as may be directed by the
1836	1836	council.
1837	1837	(f) The council may establish committees among its
1838	1838	membership, as it deems necessary, to assist in the conduct of
1839	1839	its business.
1840	1840	§41-9-175.02
1841	1841	(a) By October 1, 2024, the council shall submit to the
1842	1842	Home Builders Licensure Board for adoption the proposed
1843	1843	Alabama Residential Building Code. The board may adopt or
1844	1844	amend the proposed minimum statewide residential building code
1845	1845	prior to adoption.
1846	1846	(b) The proposed Alabama Residential Building Code, and
1847	1847	any subsequent amendment to the code, shall be based upon a
1848	1848	published edition of the Alabama Energy and Residential Code
1849	1849	as adopted and amended from the International Residential Code
1850	1850	(IRC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
1851	1851	Subsequent recommendations for adoptions or amendments to the
1852	1852	Alabama Residential Building Code shall be based upon
1853	1853	published editions of the IRC and IECC. In addition, the
1854	1854	council shall take into consideration provisions for sealed
1855	1855	roof decks and related roof construction standards contained
1856	1856	in either the Coastal Construction Code Supplement or the
1857	1857	Inland Construction Code Supplement as well as standards
1858	1858	related to energy efficiency pertaining to residential
1859	1859	897
1860	1860	898
1861	1861	899
1862	1862	900
1863	1863	901
1864	1864	902
1865	1865	903
1866	1866	904
1867	1867	905
1868	1868	906
1869	1869	907
1870	1870	908
1871	1871	909
1872	1872	910
1873	1873	911
1874	1874	912
1875	1875	913
1876	1876	914
1877	1877	915
1878	1878	916
1879	1879	917
1880	1880	918
1881	1881	919
1882	1882	920
1883	1883	921
1884	1884	922
1885	1885	923
1886	1886	924 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1887	1887	Page 34
1888	1888	construction.
1889	1889	(c) The council shall make recommendations with respect
1890	1890	to all matters pertaining to the implementation of the Alabama
1891	1891	Residential Building Code.
1892	1892	(d) When adopted by the board, recommendations of the
1893	1893	council shall be administered by the division.
1894	1894	§41-9-175.03
1895	1895	(a) At the direction of the board, the council shall do
1896	1896	all the following:
1897	1897	(1) Propose to the board for consideration of adoption
1898	1898	of an Alabama Residential Building Code or amendments to the
1899	1899	code.
1900	1900	(2) Evaluate, assess, advise, and counsel the division
1901	1901	on the Alabama Residential Building Code and the impact of the
1902	1902	code upon the economy and the environment.
1903	1903	(3) Solicit and enlist the cooperation of all
1904	1904	appropriate private-sector and community-based organizations
1905	1905	to implement this article.
1906	1906	(4) Make continuing studies, evaluations, and surveys,
1907	1907	upon the request of the board, of the needs and impacts of the
1908	1908	Alabama Residential Building Code.
1909	1909	(5) Adopt rules for the conduct of the council
1910	1910	meetings, procedures, and execution of the purpose, functions,
1911	1911	powers, and duties delegated to it by this section.
1912	1912	(6) Conduct a program of public information in order to
1913	1913	inform the units of local government, residential home
1914	1914	builders, and the residents of the state on the importance of
1915	1915	the residential building code.
1916	1916	925
1917	1917	926
1918	1918	927
1919	1919	928
1920	1920	929
1921	1921	930
1922	1922	931
1923	1923	932
1924	1924	933
1925	1925	934
1926	1926	935
1927	1927	936
1928	1928	937
1929	1929	938
1930	1930	939
1931	1931	940
1932	1932	941
1933	1933	942
1934	1934	943
1935	1935	944
1936	1936	945
1937	1937	946
1938	1938	947
1939	1939	948
1940	1940	949
1941	1941	950
1942	1942	951
1943	1943	952 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
1944	1944	Page 35
1945	1945	(7) Recommend to the board qualifications and
1946	1946	certification for third party fee-based code inspectors.
1947	1947	Section 7. Sections 41-23-80, 41-23-81, 41-23-82,
1948	1948	41-23-84, and 41-23-85, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to
1949	1949	read as follows:
1950	1950	"§41-23-80
1951	1951	The Legislature finds that the development, management,
1952	1952	efficient consumption, and conservation of residential energy
1953	1953	resources are of prime importance throughout this state and
1954	1954	this nation. It is also important to ensure the protection of
1955	1955	the economic and environmental values of Alabama's
1956	1956	citizensresidents. It is the intent of the Legislature to do
1957	1957	each of the following pursuant to this article:
1958	1958	(1) Encourage the conservation and efficient use of
1959	1959	residential energy resources within this state's counties and
1960	1960	municipalities.
1961	1961	(2) Provide a governmental environment that will
1962	1962	promote an initiative for the implementation of the Alabama
1963	1963	Energy and Residential Codes Alabama Commercial Energy Code by
1964	1964	the units of local government.
1965	1965	(3) Advise and assist the units of local government in
1966	1966	adopting the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Alabama
1967	1967	Commercial Energy Code and implementing those code provisions
1968	1968	within their boundaries.
1969	1969	(4) Promote the identification of energy management
1970	1970	technologies available for residentialcommercial uses, and to
1971	1971	disseminate information to the units of local government about
1972	1972	such technologies and their uses.
1973	1973	953
1974	1974	954
1975	1975	955
1976	1976	956
1977	1977	957
1978	1978	958
1979	1979	959
1980	1980	960
1981	1981	961
1982	1982	962
1983	1983	963
1984	1984	964
1985	1985	965
1986	1986	966
1987	1987	967
1988	1988	968
1989	1989	969
1990	1990	970
1991	1991	971
1992	1992	972
1993	1993	973
1994	1994	974
1995	1995	975
1996	1996	976
1997	1997	977
1998	1998	978
1999	1999	979
2000	2000	980 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
2001	2001	Page 36
2002	2002	(5) Promote the acceptance and adoption of those energy
2003	2003	management technologies for use in all energy-consuming
2004	2004	residentialcommercial facilities throughout this state.
2005	2005	(6) Provide a process for the adoption of modern
2006	2006	building and energy codes by the State of Alabama.
2007	2007	(7) Provide a process by which the State of Alabama
2008	2008	shall adopt required commercial codes in compliance with
2009	2009	federal law."
2010	2010	"§41-23-81
2011	2011	The following terms shall have the meanings
2012	2012	respectively prescribed for them, except when the context
2013	2013	otherwise requires:
2014	2014	(1) ALABAMA ENERGY AND RESIDENTIAL CODES ALABAMA
2015	2015	COMMERCIAL ENERGY CODE . The codes adopted by the board, as
2016	2016	amended by the board, and based on the 2006 Edition of the
2017	2017	International Energy Conservation Code , and ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA
2018	2018	Standard 90.1-2007 for commercial buildings, and the 2006
2019	2019	International Residential Code published by the International
2020	2020	Code Council, or any subsequent editions, changes, or
2021	2021	recompilations thereof, or any other code which the board
2022	2022	officially adopts.
2023	2023	(2) BOARD. The Alabama Energy and Residential
2024	2024	CodesCommercial Energy Code Board created by this article.
2025	2025	(3) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama Department of Economic and
2026	2026	Community Affairs.
2027	2027	(4) DIVISION. The Energy Division of the Alabama
2028	2028	Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
2029	2029	(5) UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Any county or
2030	2030	981
2031	2031	982
2032	2032	983
2033	2033	984
2034	2034	985
2035	2035	986
2036	2036	987
2037	2037	988
2038	2038	989
2039	2039	990
2040	2040	991
2041	2041	992
2042	2042	993
2043	2043	994
2044	2044	995
2045	2045	996
2046	2046	997
2047	2047	998
2048	2048	999
2049	2049	1000
2050	2050	1001
2051	2051	1002
2052	2052	1003
2053	2053	1004
2054	2054	1005
2055	2055	1006
2056	2056	1007
2057	2057	1008 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
2058	2058	Page 37
2059	2059	municipality within the State of Alabama."
2060	2060	"§41-23-82
2061	2061	(a) The Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Commercial
2062	2062	Energy Code Board is established.
2063	2063	(b) The board shall consist of 1513 members appointed
2064	2064	by the Governor and two additional members, numbered 1614 and
2065	2065	1715, appointed by the Chair of the Permanent Joint
2066	2066	Legislative Committee on Energy Policy. The members appointed
2067	2067	by the Governor shall be legal residents of the state, and
2068	2068	shall be selected on the basis of their representation of the
2069	2069	following organizations, industries, entities, and
2070	2070	professions:
2071	2071	(1) One member shall represent the Home Builders
2072	2072	Association.
2073	2073	(2)(1) One member shall represent the Board of General
2074	2074	Contractors.
2075	2075	(3)(2) One member shall represent the State Board of
2076	2076	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration.
2077	2077	(4)(3) One member shall represent the private,
2078	2078	investor-owned, electric utility industry.
2079	2079	(5)(4) One member shall represent the rural electric
2080	2080	cooperative industry.
2081	2081	(6)(5) One member shall represent the natural gas
2082	2082	industry.
2083	2083	(7)(6) One member shall be a licensed professional
2084	2084	engineer.
2085	2085	(8)(7) One member shall represent municipalities.
2086	2086	(9)(8) One member shall represent county governments.
2087	2087	1009
2088	2088	1010
2089	2089	1011
2090	2090	1012
2091	2091	1013
2092	2092	1014
2093	2093	1015
2094	2094	1016
2095	2095	1017
2096	2096	1018
2097	2097	1019
2098	2098	1020
2099	2099	1021
2100	2100	1022
2101	2101	1023
2102	2102	1024
2103	2103	1025
2104	2104	1026
2105	2105	1027
2106	2106	1028
2107	2107	1029
2108	2108	1030
2109	2109	1031
2110	2110	1032
2111	2111	1033
2112	2112	1034
2113	2113	1035
2114	2114	1036 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
2115	2115	Page 38
2116	2116	(10)(9) One member shall represent the Alabama Council,
2117	2117	American Institute of Architects.
2118	2118	(11)(10) One member shall represent the Alabama
2119	2119	Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board.
2120	2120	(12)(11) One member shall represent the International
2121	2121	Code Council (ICC) Alabama Chapter, Code Officials Association
2122	2122	of Alabama.
2123	2123	(13) One member shall represent the Home Builders
2124	2124	Licensure Board.
2125	2125	(14)(12) One member shall represent the Alabama Joint
2126	2126	Fire Council.
2127	2127	(15)(13) One member shall represent the Property and
2128	2128	Casualty Insurance Industry.
2129	2129	(16)(14) One member shall be a Senate member of the
2130	2130	Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy
2131	2131	selected by the chair of the committee.
2132	2132	(17)(15) One member shall be a House of Representatives
2133	2133	member of the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy
2134	2134	Policy selected by the chair of the committee.
2135	2135	(c) Each member appointed by the Governor shall be
2136	2136	selected from a list of three candidates provided to the
2137	2137	Governor by the division from each entity listed above. Board
2138	2138	appointees shall be selected on the basis of their interest in
2139	2139	problems concerning residentialcommercial energy resources,
2140	2140	consumption, and conservation, and without regard to political
2141	2141	affiliation. Appointments shall be of such a nature as to aid
2142	2142	the work of the board and to inspire the highest degree of
2143	2143	coordination and cooperation. All members of the board shall
2144	2144	1037
2145	2145	1038
2146	2146	1039
2147	2147	1040
2148	2148	1041
2149	2149	1042
2150	2150	1043
2151	2151	1044
2152	2152	1045
2153	2153	1046
2154	2154	1047
2155	2155	1048
2156	2156	1049
2157	2157	1050
2158	2158	1051
2159	2159	1052
2160	2160	1053
2161	2161	1054
2162	2162	1055
2163	2163	1056
2164	2164	1057
2165	2165	1058
2166	2166	1059
2167	2167	1060
2168	2168	1061
2169	2169	1062
2170	2170	1063
2171	2171	1064 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
2172	2172	Page 39
2173	2173	be deemed members at-large charged with the responsibility of
2174	2174	serving the best interests of the board, the division, the
2175	2175	units of local government, and the state. No member shall act
2176	2176	as the representative of any particular region, United States
2177	2177	congressional district in Alabama, or state Senate or
2178	2178	legislative district in Alabama.
2179	2179	(d) The board shall exercise authority with respect to
2180	2180	all matters pertaining to the acceptance, adoption, and
2181	2181	implementation of the Alabama Energy and Residential
2182	2182	CodesCommercial Energy Code by the State of Alabama. Decisions
2183	2183	of the board shall be administered by the chief of the
2184	2184	division with the assistance of such other officers and
2185	2185	department employees as are deemed necessary to carry out the
2186	2186	purpose, functions, duties, and activities of the board.
2187	2187	(e) The membership of the board shall be inclusive and
2188	2188	should reflect the racial, gender, geographic,
2189	2189	urban/ruralurban, rural, and economic diversity of the state.
2190	2190	(f) This article shall not apply to the erection or
2191	2191	construction of a farm structure. The term farm structure, for
2192	2192	the purposes of this actsubsection, means a structure that is
2193	2193	constructed on a farm, other than a residence or a structure
2194	2194	attached to it, for use on the farm including, but not limited
2195	2195	to, barns, sheds, and poultry houses. A farm structure does
2196	2196	not include a structure originally qualifying as a farm
2197	2197	structure but later converted to another use."
2198	2198	"§41-23-84
2199	2199	(a) The first meeting of the board shall be called by
2200	2200	the chief of the division as soon as is practicable after July
2201	2201	1065
2202	2202	1066
2203	2203	1067
2204	2204	1068
2205	2205	1069
2206	2206	1070
2207	2207	1071
2208	2208	1072
2209	2209	1073
2210	2210	1074
2211	2211	1075
2212	2212	1076
2213	2213	1077
2214	2214	1078
2215	2215	1079
2216	2216	1080
2217	2217	1081
2218	2218	1082
2219	2219	1083
2220	2220	1084
2221	2221	1085
2222	2222	1086
2223	2223	1087
2224	2224	1088
2225	2225	1089
2226	2226	1090
2227	2227	1091
2228	2228	1092 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
2229	2229	Page 40
2230	2230	31, 1995. The division chief shall preside until a chair and a
2231	2231	vice chair are selected by the board. The board shall elect
2232	2232	annually from its own members a chair, a vice chair, and such
2233	2233	other officers as it may deem desirable, and shall adopt rules
2234	2234	for its organization in the conduct of its business.
2235	2235	(b) The board shall hold a regular meeting at least
2236	2236	once during each calendar year at a time and place as
2237	2237	designated or specified in its rules. Special or additional
2238	2238	meetings may be held on a call of the chair, upon a call
2239	2239	signed by at least seven members, or upon a call by the
2240	2240	division chief.
2241	2241	(c) A majority of the members of the board shall
2242	2242	constitute a quorum at all its meetings, and adoption or
2243	2243	resolution of any business shall require the concurrence of a
2244	2244	majority of all the members of the board. An agenda for the
2245	2245	meetings in sufficient detail to indicate the terms on which
2246	2246	final action is contemplated shall be mailedprovided by the
2247	2247	division chief to the chair, vice chair, and board members at
2248	2248	least 30 days prior to the meeting.
2249	2249	(d) The division chief shall serve as ex officio
2250	2250	secretary of the board, and shall keep a record of the
2251	2251	proceedings of all board meetings , and perform such other
2252	2252	duties as may be delegated by the board. The division chief
2253	2253	shall not receive any additional compensation for the
2254	2254	performance of those duties on the board or pursuant to this
2255	2255	article.
2256	2256	(e) The board may establish committees among its
2257	2257	membership, as it deems necessary, to assist in the conduct of
2258	2258	1093
2259	2259	1094
2260	2260	1095
2261	2261	1096
2262	2262	1097
2263	2263	1098
2264	2264	1099
2265	2265	1100
2266	2266	1101
2267	2267	1102
2268	2268	1103
2269	2269	1104
2270	2270	1105
2271	2271	1106
2272	2272	1107
2273	2273	1108
2274	2274	1109
2275	2275	1110
2276	2276	1111
2277	2277	1112
2278	2278	1113
2279	2279	1114
2280	2280	1115
2281	2281	1116
2282	2282	1117
2283	2283	1118
2284	2284	1119
2285	2285	1120 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
2286	2286	Page 41
2287	2287	its business. Subcommittees shall include representation from
2288	2288	suppliers or others interested in the subject matter assigned
2289	2289	to the subcommittees, or both.
2290	2290	(f) All meetings of the board shall be held in
2291	2291	accordance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act, Chapter 25A of
2292	2292	Title 36."
2293	2293	"§41-23-85
2294	2294	(a) The board shall exercise authority with respect to
2295	2295	all matters pertaining to the acceptance and adoption, and
2296	2296	implementation of the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes
2297	2297	Commercial Energy Code by the State of Alabama. In so doing,
2298	2298	the board may perform any of the following functions:
2299	2299	(1) Review, amend, and adopt the Alabama Energy and
2300	2300	Residential Codes Commercial Energy Code . The board shall
2301	2301	consider updates and changes to the codes referenced herein no
2302	2302	less than two years after the date of publication of the most
2303	2303	recent version of the codes.
2304	2304	(2) Evaluate, assess, advise, and counsel the division
2305	2305	and the units of local government, on residential energy codes
2306	2306	and the impact of those codes upon the economy and the
2307	2307	environment.
2308	2308	(3) Solicit and enlist the cooperation of all
2309	2309	appropriate private-sector and community-based organizations
2310	2310	to implement the purpose of this article.
2311	2311	(4) Make recommendations to the division for the
2312	2312	enactment of additional legislation as it deems necessary
2313	2313	which proposes to further enhance the capabilities of the
2314	2314	state and the units of local government in accepting,
2315	2315	1121
2316	2316	1122
2317	2317	1123
2318	2318	1124
2319	2319	1125
2320	2320	1126
2321	2321	1127
2322	2322	1128
2323	2323	1129
2324	2324	1130
2325	2325	1131
2326	2326	1132
2327	2327	1133
2328	2328	1134
2329	2329	1135
2330	2330	1136
2331	2331	1137
2332	2332	1138
2333	2333	1139
2334	2334	1140
2335	2335	1141
2336	2336	1142
2337	2337	1143
2338	2338	1144
2339	2339	1145
2340	2340	1146
2341	2341	1147
2342	2342	1148 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
2343	2343	Page 42
2344	2344	adopting, and implementing the Alabama Energy and Residential
2345	2345	CodesCommercial Energy Code , and in meeting the need for
2346	2346	increasing residential energy resources and conservation due
2347	2347	to trends in residential population and the change in
2348	2348	technical requirements of the economy.
2349	2349	(5) Make continuing studies, on its own initiative or
2350	2350	upon the request of the division, of the residential energy
2351	2351	resources, conservation, and consumption needs throughout the
2352	2352	state, and issue those reports to the division and to the
2353	2353	units of local government as may result from its studies.
2354	2354	(6) Submit to the chief of the division, on an annual
2355	2355	basis, a written report covering the activities of the board.
2356	2356	(7) Make rules and regulations for the conduct of its
2357	2357	board meetings, procedures, and execution of the purpose,
2358	2358	functions, powers, and duties delegated to it by this article.
2359	2359	(8) Conduct a program of public information in order to
2360	2360	inform the units of local government and the citizensresidents
2361	2361	of the state on the importance of residential andcommercial
2362	2362	energy codes, conservation, and consumption.
2363	2363	(9) Identify any and all resources needed or required
2364	2364	for the board to implement the purpose, functions, powers, and
2365	2365	duties of this article.
2366	2366	(b) The division shall be responsible for taking action
2367	2367	upon any and all recommendations to which the board may from
2368	2368	time to time submit.
2369	2369	(c)(1) Except as provided in this section, any code
2370	2370	adopted by any state or county entity or agency after March 9,
2371	2371	2010, shall not conflict with the codes adopted by the board.
2372	2372	1149
2373	2373	1150
2374	2374	1151
2375	2375	1152
2376	2376	1153
2377	2377	1154
2378	2378	1155
2379	2379	1156
2380	2380	1157
2381	2381	1158
2382	2382	1159
2383	2383	1160
2384	2384	1161
2385	2385	1162
2386	2386	1163
2387	2387	1164
2388	2388	1165
2389	2389	1166
2390	2390	1167
2391	2391	1168
2392	2392	1169
2393	2393	1170
2394	2394	1171
2395	2395	1172
2396	2396	1173
2397	2397	1174
2398	2398	1175
2399	2399	1176 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
2400	2400	Page 43
2401	2401	A county entity or agency may elect to amend the Alabama
2402	2402	Energy and Residential Codes Commercial Energy Code as local
2403	2403	conditions require, but shall not make any amendment to
2404	2404	mandate residential fire sprinklers or to provisions which are
2405	2405	mandated or required by any federal law or federal regulation.
2406	2406	(2) As of March 9, 2010, any municipality which that
2407	2407	does not have a code in effect adopted pursuant to Section
2408	2408	11-45-8 shall not adopt any energy or residential code other
2409	2409	than the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes adopted by the
2410	2410	board or any newer versions thereof. Provided, however, a
2411	2411	municipality may elect to amend the Alabama Energy and
2412	2412	Residential Codes Commercial Energy Code as local conditions
2413	2413	require, but shall not make any amendment to mandate
2414	2414	residential fire sprinklers or to provisions which are
2415	2415	mandated or required by any federal law or federal regulation.
2416	2416	(3) Except as provided in subsection (d), nothing
2417	2417	Nothing contained in this article shall apply to any
2418	2418	municipality with a code adopted pursuant to Section 11-45-8
2419	2419	in effect as of March 9, 2010, nor shall it anything in this
2420	2420	article prevent any such municipality from making any changes
2421	2421	or amendments to existing codes after March 9, 2010. Provided,
2422	2422	however, that a municipality shall not make any amendment to
2423	2423	provisions which are mandated by any federal law or federal
2424	2424	regulation.
2425	2425	(d) A municipal, county, or state governing entity or
2426	2426	agency may not enact an ordinance, rule, bylaw, order,
2427	2427	building code, or other legal device that would restrict a
2428	2428	consumer's ability to elect to install, by the consumer's
2429	2429	1177
2430	2430	1178
2431	2431	1179
2432	2432	1180
2433	2433	1181
2434	2434	1182
2435	2435	1183
2436	2436	1184
2437	2437	1185
2438	2438	1186
2439	2439	1187
2440	2440	1188
2441	2441	1189
2442	2442	1190
2443	2443	1191
2444	2444	1192
2445	2445	1193
2446	2446	1194
2447	2447	1195
2448	2448	1196
2449	2449	1197
2450	2450	1198
2451	2451	1199
2452	2452	1200
2453	2453	1201
2454	2454	1202
2455	2455	1203
2456	2456	1204 SB136 INTRODUCEDSB136 INTRODUCED
2457	2457	Page 44
2458	2458	choice and for a fee, a residential fire sprinkler system in
2459	2459	any new or existing one-family or two-family dwelling. A
2460	2460	municipal, county, or state governing entity or agency may not
2461	2461	enact an ordinance, rule, bylaw, order, building code, or
2462	2462	other legal device that would require the installation of a
2463	2463	residential fire sprinkler system in any new or existing
2464	2464	one-family or two-family dwelling. Provided, however, all
2465	2465	municipalities governed by subdivision (3) of subsection (c)
2466	2466	which have enacted any ordinance, rule, bylaw, order, building
2467	2467	code, or other legal device as of March 9, 2010, relating to
2468	2468	the installation of a residential fire sprinkler system may
2469	2469	continue to enforce or amend such ordinance, rule, bylaw,
2470	2470	order, building code, or other legal device. "
2471	2471	Section 8. (a) A local building code adopted or
2472	2472	amended by any county or municipality after October 1, 2023,
2473	2473	shall meet the minimum standards of the Alabama Residential
2474	2474	Building Code in effect at the time of the local building code
2475	2475	adoption or amendment and shall not exceed the energy
2476	2476	provisions of the Alabama Residential Building Code, unless
2477	2477	compliance with any federal mandate requires such adoption or
2478	2478	amendment.
2479	2479	(b) A county commission or municipality shall provide
2480	2480	to the board a copy of any resolution, ordinance, or agreement
2481	2481	adopted pursuant to Section 11-40-10(b)(2), Code of Alabama
2482	2482	1975, within 10 business days of its adoption.
2483	2483	Section 9. This act shall become effective on October
2484	2484	1, 2023, following its passage and approval by the Governor,
2485	2485	or its otherwise becoming law.
2486	2486	1205
2487	2487	1206
2488	2488	1207
2489	2489	1208
2490	2490	1209
2491	2491	1210
2492	2492	1211
2493	2493	1212
2494	2494	1213
2495	2495	1214
2496	2496	1215
2497	2497	1216
2498	2498	1217
2499	2499	1218
2500	2500	1219
2501	2501	1220
2502	2502	1221
2503	2503	1222
2504	2504	1223
2505	2505	1224
2506	2506	1225
2507	2507	1226
2508	2508	1227
2509	2509	1228
2510	2510	1229
2511	2511	1230
2512	2512	1231
2513	2513	1232