Hawaii Senate Bill SCR163

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22
• Report Pass: 4/1/22
• Engrossed: 4/4/22
• Refer: 4/4/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Accounting And General Services To Fund The Establishment Of One Full-time Equivalent Program Director Position, One Full-time Staff Member Position, And Costs Necessary To Establish A Full-time State Building Code Council Office.

Impact

The passage of SCR163 aims to enhance the operational capacity of the State Building Code Council. With dedicated funding, the Council will be better equipped to update and enforce the Hawaii State Building Codes. This is particularly crucial as each new edition of the International Building Code is published every three years, necessitating timely updates to local regulations. Improved staffing and resources are anticipated to facilitate essential training and support for Council members, thereby increasing expertise within the Council regarding building codes and the implications of proposed amendments.

Summary

SCR163 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that requests the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to allocate funds for establishing a full-time State Building Code Council office, including a Program Director and staff positions. The resolution addresses the ongoing challenges faced by the State Building Code Council since its inception in 2007, particularly regarding inadequate funding and staffing. These issues have hindered the Council's ability to effectively manage the statewide building codes, which are essential for ensuring health and safety in the construction sector across Hawaii.

Contention

Notably, SCR163 also highlights concerns about the motivations behind proposed amendments to the State Building Codes. Critics have raised alarms about amendments pushed by private sector interests that may not prioritize public health and safety. These amendments sometimes lack comprehensive cost-benefit analyses or adequate input from industry stakeholders, which could lead to increased construction costs without corresponding safety or quality improvements. Enhanced oversight and better-informed decisions are integral goals of the proposed funding, addressing the previously mentioned issues of accountability and transparency in code amendments.