Pennsylvania Legislature Approves Bill Altering Code Update Process
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed legislation significantly altering the process to update the state’s construction codes (the 2009 I-Codes series, including the 2009 IECC, became effective December 31, 2009). On January 31, a bill (HB 377) was introduced that would amend the Uniform Construction Code Act of 1999 to require 2/3 approval for any code update proposals by the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Review and Advisory Council (RAC). Among other changes, the RAC would be required to submit a report on any proposed changes within 12 months of the official publication of ICC’s triennial code updates. HB 377 also repealed the residential sprinkler provisions of the 2009 IRC and reverted to the 2006 wall bracing requirements.
The bill was approved by the House on March 7. The Senate approved amendments on April 12, and the House concurred April 13. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the legislation in law as Act 1 on April 25. The UCC has been subject to rollback attempts before in both the legislature and state courts.
More Information: HB 377: Home & Text (signed) | PA Code News Archive
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