The State Building Code Council (SBCC) continues to be under fire in the legislature. The AIA/WA testified on HB 2775, regarding membership on the state building code council, yesterday, Jan. 21 in the House Local Government & Housing Committee.
Portions of the bill seek to change the appointment process for members of the SBCC. HB 2775 would make appointments subject to Senate confirmation. Currently members are appointed by the Governor with no confirmation procedure. Subjecting volunteers to confirmation could deter qualified and necessary people from serving on the SBCC.
HB 2775 would also put restriction on board members appointed to represent a specific sector, if they are not longer employed in that sector. This element of the bill is supported by the AIA/WA as it will ensure that SBCC members are appropriately knowledgeable for their sector.
You can see the AIA/WA testimony below.
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label testimony. Show all posts
1.20.2010
AIA|WA Opposes Move of SBCC to Labor and Industries
The AIA/WA testified in the House Community, Economic Development, Trade Committee today, Jan. 20, regarding HB 2658. Section eight of HB 2658 proposes to move the State Building Code Council (SBCC) to the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).
Primarily, the AIA/WA opposes the move because there is a conflict between the function of L&I and the role of the SBCC. The SBCC does not conduct any enforcement activities. Whereas, L&I is enforcement oriented. In order to be effective the SBCC must combine divergent views to create codes that are proper, safe and able to be implemented; this requires independence from enforcement.
The AIA/WA is also opposed because this transfer is unnecessary to save funds and could be greatly disruptive. The SBCC is self-funded through fees so this move has no fiscal impact. Currently, the SBCC is successful in the Department of Commerce, especially in regard to the synergy it has created with energy efficiency programs.
This was not a shift that was determined by a stakeholder process, unlike other changes suggested in the legislation. You can see testimony by AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman, below.
Primarily, the AIA/WA opposes the move because there is a conflict between the function of L&I and the role of the SBCC. The SBCC does not conduct any enforcement activities. Whereas, L&I is enforcement oriented. In order to be effective the SBCC must combine divergent views to create codes that are proper, safe and able to be implemented; this requires independence from enforcement.
The AIA/WA is also opposed because this transfer is unnecessary to save funds and could be greatly disruptive. The SBCC is self-funded through fees so this move has no fiscal impact. Currently, the SBCC is successful in the Department of Commerce, especially in regard to the synergy it has created with energy efficiency programs.
This was not a shift that was determined by a stakeholder process, unlike other changes suggested in the legislation. You can see testimony by AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman, below.
4.07.2009
AIA/WA Testifies on a New Bond Bill
Rep. Hans Dunshee introduced a new bond bill, HB 2334, to fund higher education and elementary and secondary education projects. The bill focuses on “funding construction of safety, health, and energy-saving improvements to public facilities.” In addition, the bill says that “energy efficiency projects shall take priority” for funding.
AIA/WA testified in support of the goals of this legislation today the House Capital Budget Committee. Video of the testimony will be available here soon. For now you can listen to testimony by clicking below.
The money and purposes of projects in this legislation are certainly needed. The proposed state budget transfers $750 million out of the Capital budget and into the operating budget. That is creating a significant long-term problem for capital projects.
The AIA/WA also has a few concerns namely: accountability provisions in the bill and the section on “performance based contracting.”
The legislation supplies funds for building regardless of demonstrated value or worthiness of projects. Further, the bill does not ensure that institutions taking these funds, and making improvements, have a long term master plans for the buildings that will keep them from building inadequate facilities that they can’t alter cost effectively for a long time.
In summary, the design and construction monies in this bill are needed. Saving energy and improving health and safety are worthy endeavors. But, they are just a part of the purposes for which our buildings are built and operated.
AIA/WA testified in support of the goals of this legislation today the House Capital Budget Committee. Video of the testimony will be available here soon. For now you can listen to testimony by clicking below.
The money and purposes of projects in this legislation are certainly needed. The proposed state budget transfers $750 million out of the Capital budget and into the operating budget. That is creating a significant long-term problem for capital projects.
The AIA/WA also has a few concerns namely: accountability provisions in the bill and the section on “performance based contracting.”
The legislation supplies funds for building regardless of demonstrated value or worthiness of projects. Further, the bill does not ensure that institutions taking these funds, and making improvements, have a long term master plans for the buildings that will keep them from building inadequate facilities that they can’t alter cost effectively for a long time.
In summary, the design and construction monies in this bill are needed. Saving energy and improving health and safety are worthy endeavors. But, they are just a part of the purposes for which our buildings are built and operated.
4.01.2009
Procurement Bills Receive a hearing in Fiscal Committee
SB 5760 went before the House Capitol Budget Committee on March 31. The AIAWA and a broad coalition of design professionals testified against the bill. The bill is supported by and promoted by the University of Washington and Washington State University.
SB 5760 would pre-empt current law requiring the colleges to get prior approval of projects and would give them blanket authority to use design-build and general contractor/construction manager (GC/CM) procurement methods. This legislation would lower the dollar threshold from $10 million to $1 million and the small works roster limit would be increased from $35K/$55K to $1 million. Thus, SB 5760 would allow every project to be either: small works, design-build or GC/CM. Therefore SB 5760 effectively eliminates the design-bid-build procurement method.
Lastly, the bill would also allow UW/WSU to prequalify bidders and limit the number of bidders on a project-by-project basis.
You can see the AIA/WA testimony in opposition of this legislation below.
SB 5760 would pre-empt current law requiring the colleges to get prior approval of projects and would give them blanket authority to use design-build and general contractor/construction manager (GC/CM) procurement methods. This legislation would lower the dollar threshold from $10 million to $1 million and the small works roster limit would be increased from $35K/$55K to $1 million. Thus, SB 5760 would allow every project to be either: small works, design-build or GC/CM. Therefore SB 5760 effectively eliminates the design-bid-build procurement method.
Lastly, the bill would also allow UW/WSU to prequalify bidders and limit the number of bidders on a project-by-project basis.
You can see the AIA/WA testimony in opposition of this legislation below.
3.20.2009
AIA Members Testify in Support of Adding IECC to SB 5854
On March 18, John Cochran, AIA, and John Neff, AIA, both testified in support of SB 5854 and instituting the IECC, the International Environmental Council Code. Along with the two AIA members, Craig Stevenson of the International Code Council testified in support of the bill and adoption of the IECC code.
Using this standards instead of the WSEC, Washington State Energy Code will cuts costs which is expensive for the state to develop; it will decrease complications for architects, engineers and contractors to comply; and reduce they difficulty building officials encounter when trying to enforce the code.
The adopted of the IECC also comes with many benefits such as: free training, accessible resources online and for free, and streamlining Washington's energy code with the rest of the nation so that firms who practice in multiple states will have an easier time building "to code".
You can view the hearing (below) from TVW's webcasting program.
Using this standards instead of the WSEC, Washington State Energy Code will cuts costs which is expensive for the state to develop; it will decrease complications for architects, engineers and contractors to comply; and reduce they difficulty building officials encounter when trying to enforce the code.
The adopted of the IECC also comes with many benefits such as: free training, accessible resources online and for free, and streamlining Washington's energy code with the rest of the nation so that firms who practice in multiple states will have an easier time building "to code".
You can view the hearing (below) from TVW's webcasting program.
3.12.2009
Problematic Home Warranties Bill Passes House
Last night the House passed HB 1393, which is a watered down version of the initial home warranty bill. This bill, while improved, still has some challenging provisions.
The House bill took architects and engineers out of the definition of “construction professional.” So it doesn’t directly target architects. However, the bill still includes “inspectors” in the definition of construction professional. And the definition also covers “design, supervision, inspection…or observation of the construction.” Therefore, an architect who inspects a project could still be held liable.
Overall, the bill does several things:
- Proves that the “common law implied warranty of habitability” cannot be
waived - Requires all contracts on the sale/construction of new residential projects
have a written express warranty. - Establishes a “Home Construction Board” to investigate and mediate construction defect claims and pays for the board with a $100 fee added to the registration for builders doing residential
construction.
The house bill does not include the problematic stamping or inspection requirements that are in the Senate Bill, Engrossed Second Substitute SB 5895.
As mentioned previously, we hope that we can continue to work the bill to clear up the ambiguities. There was controversy about the bill coming up last night in the form it did. The builders, contractors, architects/engineers, and insurers were in negotiations with the sponsor, Representative Larry Springer. It was expected that the warrant provisions would not be in the bill. It was quite surprising when the bill came out with those provisions.
Stay tuned, this issue will continue to develop and change as the bills progress.
2.16.2009
AIA WA Member Testifies in Support of Efficiency First Legislation
AIAWA members Marc Jenefsky, of JensenFey, testified in support if SB 5854 which aims to reduce climate pollution in the built environment.
Jenefsky testified about how this bill and its goals are good for creating quality jobs and the environment. Jenefsky also detailed how the goals of the bill are achievable, affordable and desirable. See his testimony below. For the entire hearing on this bill visit TVW here.
Jenefsky testified about how this bill and its goals are good for creating quality jobs and the environment. Jenefsky also detailed how the goals of the bill are achievable, affordable and desirable. See his testimony below. For the entire hearing on this bill visit TVW here.
2.13.2009
AIA/WA Testifies Against Removing Art Funding in Public Buildings
The AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman, testified against House Bill 1376 Feb. 9 before the House Capitol Budget Committee. HB 1376 would have removed the requirement, during the 2009-11 biennium, that .5 percent of the total capital project cost of public buildings be used for artwork.
The AIA/WA made the point that art in public buildings is not just an amenity to building design but an integral part of the building that enhances the space for the employees and public who use the building.
You can see Executive Director Bowman’s testimony below.
The AIA/WA made the point that art in public buildings is not just an amenity to building design but an integral part of the building that enhances the space for the employees and public who use the building.
You can see Executive Director Bowman’s testimony below.
2.07.2009
Architects Testify Against Increased Liability
On Wed, Feb 5, the AIA\WA President Jeffrey Hamlett, Callison-Seattle; and AIA\WA immediate Past President Timothy Buckley, Greenstone Architecture-Vancouver; testified against House Bills 1045 and 1393.
Timothy Buckley testified on behalf of the AIA Washington Council and our members. Jeffrey Hamlett is also the current President of the Architects & Engineers Legislative Council (AELC) and testified on their behalf.
House Bills 1045 and 1393 are strongly opposed by the AIA\WA. As they are currently written these bills include design professionals as liable for construction flaws and product flaws in residential construction– damages found by the original owner of the home and ALL subsequent owners. Most erroneous, with passage of these bills architects would lose the ability to be covered by professional liability insurance when doing residential construction; thus making architects open to frivolous lawsuits.
Both Jeffrey and Timothy testified that these bills will encourage architects to stop all residential construction rather than be the victims of expensive and unfounded legal action. You can view this testimony below.
To see the full hearing please click here to visit TVW.
Timothy Buckley testified on behalf of the AIA Washington Council and our members. Jeffrey Hamlett is also the current President of the Architects & Engineers Legislative Council (AELC) and testified on their behalf.
House Bills 1045 and 1393 are strongly opposed by the AIA\WA. As they are currently written these bills include design professionals as liable for construction flaws and product flaws in residential construction– damages found by the original owner of the home and ALL subsequent owners. Most erroneous, with passage of these bills architects would lose the ability to be covered by professional liability insurance when doing residential construction; thus making architects open to frivolous lawsuits.
Both Jeffrey and Timothy testified that these bills will encourage architects to stop all residential construction rather than be the victims of expensive and unfounded legal action. You can view this testimony below.
To see the full hearing please click here to visit TVW.
1.23.2009
AIA/WA Testifies About Mandated Solar Hot Water Heating
AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman, testified before the House Local Government and Housing Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
The AIA/WA was there to testify on House Bill 1187. The bill would have required the instillation of solar hot water heater systems in single-family dwellings.
The AIAWA testified to the benefits of using this technology and in support of its use in homes. However, the AIAWA noted that legislation should not mandate that one type of technology over another and should focus on a comprehensive remedy to energy consumption.
Click here to see the testimony given on House Bill 1187.
The AIA/WA was there to testify on House Bill 1187. The bill would have required the instillation of solar hot water heater systems in single-family dwellings.
The AIAWA testified to the benefits of using this technology and in support of its use in homes. However, the AIAWA noted that legislation should not mandate that one type of technology over another and should focus on a comprehensive remedy to energy consumption.
Click here to see the testimony given on House Bill 1187.
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