HB 185 -- BUILDING REGULATIONS

CO-SPONSORS:  Legan, Myers, Ostmann, Kreider, Boucher

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Miscellaneous Bills and Resolutions by a vote of 8 to 1.

Under current law, the county commission in counties of the
first and second classification may adopt building regulations
by ordinance.  This bill allows county commissions in third
classification counties to also adopt these regulations.  The
building regulations may include the issuance of building
permits, inspection of electrical wiring, and licensing of
persons engaged in the business of electrical wiring.

The county commission of a third classification county must
appoint a building commission if a valid petition is submitted
by the qualified voters of the affected area.  The building
commission is required to prepare a building and electrical code
of regulations, which must be submitted to the county commission
for adoption and to the voters of the affected area for approval.

Any building ordinance adopted applies to the erection,
remodeling, or addition of building structures, but does not
apply to farm structures unless used as a residence.  Ordinances
adopted under the bill cannot apply to land use.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that third classification counties
should be authorized to establish building codes and that an
insurance rating, while based on many factors, also is based on
whether or not building codes are in effect.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Legan; Missouri
Society of Professional Engineers; Missouri Committee for Model
Codes; Governor's Commission for Review and Formulation of
Building Code Implementation; State Farm Insurance; Missouri
Insurance Coalition; Alliance of American Insurers; National
Association of Independent Insurers; and American Institute of
Architects.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Donna Schlosser, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:42 am