Legislative Summary Report
Week 2
On Wednesday the House Labor & Commerce Committee held a hearing on residential building codes. Andre Spinelli was invited to speak on behalf of the home builders, and AHFC's John Anderson gave a description of the current situation in Alaska about codes, and the lack thereof. Both gentlemen should be commended for doing an excellent job for their presentations.
Rep. Sam Kito (D-Juneau), chairman of the committee, said he is willing to help draft a bill that adopts a state residential building code. Both Rep. Andy Josephson and Rep. Chris Birch expressed positive sentiments about moving forward in this regard. Drafting a bill will take several weeks, and then will need some discussion BEFORE it is introduced as a bill.
On Friday the House Labor & Commerce Committee heard from the plumbers and pipefitters union about their views on the state mechanical and plumbing code.
Last, HB81 from last year is in the final stages of preparation for introduction this session. There will not be any changes to the bill, but it is necessary to update the background information and documents that accompany the bill. John Bitney's expectation is that we will see it introduced next week in the Senate, and the House should follow soon afterwards.
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