SB315 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board with 17 members (15 appointed by the Governor from specified industries and professions, 2 appointed by the Chair of the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy) to adopt and implement energy and residential building codes.

• Requires adoption of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 for commercial buildings, and 2006 International Residential Code, with board review of updates no less than two years after publication of new versions.

• Prohibits state and local entities from amending federally required codes or mandating residential fire sprinkler systems in one-family or two-family dwellings, while preserving consumer choice to install sprinklers voluntarily.

• Exempts farm structures (barns, sheds, poultry houses) from code requirements, except those later converted to other uses.

• Board membership must reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state; members serve five-year terms with a 10-year consecutive service limit and receive no compensation but are reimbursed for travel expenses.