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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 80
BY REPRESENTATIVE CHANDLER
A RESOLUTION
To direct the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council to report to the House
Committee on Commerce a list of all changes made to the state uniform construction
code since it was originally enacted by Act No. 12 of the 2005 1st Extraordinary
Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Louisiana
Legislature found it necessary to adopt mandatory construction standards; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature promulgated a state uniform construction
code to govern the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings and other
structures and the installation of mechanical devices and equipment therein; and
WHEREAS, the public policy of Louisiana is to maintain reasonable standards of
construction in buildings and other structures in the state consistent with the public health,
safety, and welfare of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of a statewide building code was needed for the safety and
security of the people of Louisiana in the event of future hurricanes; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code establishes uniform
performance standards providing reasonable safeguards for health, safety, welfare, comfort,
and security balanced with affordability for the residents of Louisiana who are occupants and
users of buildings and provides for the use of modern methods, devices, materials, and
techniques; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code encourages the use of
construction materials of the greatest durability and lower long-term costs and provides
greater storm resistance; and
WHEREAS, as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, there is an abundance of new
construction occurring in Louisiana; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 80
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WHEREAS, the primary function of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code
Council is to review and adopt the state uniform construction code, provide for training and
education of code officials, and accept all requests for amendments of the code, except the
Louisiana State Plumbing Code [Part XIV (Plumbing) of the State Sanitary Code]; and
WHEREAS, specifically, the council is required by law to establish the requirements
and process for the certification and continuing education of code enforcement officers, code
enforcement inspectors, and building officials and to determine if any amendments to the
state uniform construction code are justified; and
WHEREAS, if the council determines that an amendment is justified, it may enact
such an amendment after a finding on the record that the modification provides a reasonable
degree of public health, safety, affordability, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the council is required by law to submit the updated state uniform
construction code to the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs for oversight and approval; and
WHEREAS, additionally, the council shall provide the members of each house of the
legislature a summary of the major proposed changes to the International Residential Code
at the time of submission to the oversight committees; and
WHEREAS, there have been numerous additions and changes made to the state
uniform construction code since it was originally enacted in 2005; and
WHEREAS, the changes to the state uniform construction code can have a significant
impact on the cost of constructing a residential dwelling or commercial building; and
WHEREAS, especially during an economic downturn, it is incumbent upon the
leadership of this state to assist its citizens by ensuring that the laws, rules, and regulations
of this state meet the goal of providing a reasonable degree of public health, safety,
affordability, and welfare.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby direct the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code
Council to report to the House Committee on Commerce a list of all changes made to the
state uniform construction code since it was originally enacted by Act No. 12 of the 2005
1st Extraordinary Session of the Legislature of Louisiana no later than January 1, 2011. ENROLLEDHR NO. 80
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature
of Louisiana does hereby direct the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council to
provide a copy of the report to each member of the House of Representatives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES