Alabama Governor Signs Mandatory Statewide Code Bill

[Updated March 11, 2010]

On February 2, a bill (SB 315) was introduced in the Alabama Senate that would provide a process for adoption and compliance with codes required under federal law (Recovery Act). It establishes a regulatory body to adopt and implement the state’s first mandatory residential and commercial energy standards to be based on the 2006 IECC, ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007, or subsequent editions.

SB 315 passed the Senate unanimously in February. On March 2, the bill was amended on the floor of the House and approved. On March 2, the Senate passed a committee substitute bill on which the House concurred the same day. On March 9, Gov. Bob Riley signed the bill into law as Act 2010-185.

The bill would: 

• Replace the Alabama Energy Code Board with the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board, giving the new board sole authority over adoption and implementation of the state’s energy codes

• Replace a reference to the Model Energy Code with the new Alabama Energy and Residential Codes for the State of Alabama, established as the 2006 IECC/Standard 90.1-2007 for commercial buildings and the 2006 IRC for residential buildings, or “any subsequent editions”

• Prohibit local jurisdictions from adopting codes that conflict with the new state codes or amending code requirements mandated by the Recovery Act (jurisdictions that have already adopted codes by the effective date of the act would exempt from adopting the state code)

• Prohibit local jurisdictions from either legally requiring residential fire sprinklers or restricting consumers’ choice to install them

• Exempt farm structures from these provisions

More Information: SB 315 Text (engrossed) | Alabama State Legislature

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