House Bill 948 - Building Code Regulatory Reform Summary

• Allows cities and counties to accept designs and construction proposals sealed by licensed architects or engineers without further inspection responsibility, provided field inspections are performed by licensed professionals and compliance certification is provided.

• Establishes a marketplace pool of state-certified Code-enforcement officials available to conduct inspections when local inspection departments fail to complete inspections within two business days of request, with permit holders paying fees set by the Insurance Commissioner.

• Permits cities and counties to enter into mutual aid contracts with each other for building code administration and enforcement, granting visiting Code-enforcement officials the same jurisdiction and immunities as local officials.

• Requires counties and cities to refund permit holder inspection fees when state marketplace pool officials conduct inspections that were previously paid for at the local level.

• Expands the definition of "willful misconduct, gross negligence, or gross incompetence" to include Code officials enforcing requirements more stringent than the State Building Code or contradicting manufacturer specifications for HVAC equipment.