The House Regulatory Reform Committee passed HB 4561. This bill will change the current 3-year cycle for review of the state Uniform Construction Code to a cycle of between 3 and 6 years. The code consists of rules governing the construction, use, and occupation of buildings and structures, including land area incidental to the buildings and structures, the manufacture and installation of building components and equipment, the construction and installation of premanufactured units, the standards and requirements for materials to be used in connection with the units, and other requirements relating to the safety, including safety from fire, and sanitation facilities of the buildings and structures.
If the bill becomes law, the Director of the Bureau will be able to decide when changes to the Code are needed and make those as needed (as long as it is in the 3-6 year period).
The bill had passionate testimony for and against it. After in-depth review, the League took a position in support of the bill because of the changes in the substitute. Initial concerns about not allowing innovation in the Code were addressed with the Director being able to add new things as necessary. Also, the bill will reduce the costs of unnecessarily having to purchase books every three years.
Andy Schor is the Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him at (517) 908-0300 or by email at aschor@mml.org.
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