03/24/2006 01:30 PM House FINANCE

HOUSE BILL NO. 377                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     An   Act  relating   to   an  exemption   from   certain                                                                   
     registration  and  practice   requirements  for  persons                                                                   
     preparing  drawings  or specifications  related  to  the                                                                   
     construction of certain buildings.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MIKE PAWLOWSKI,  STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE  KEVIN MEYER,  updated                                                                   
the  Committee on  the  work done  to  address safety  issues                                                                   
since the bill  was last heard.  He indicated  that each side                                                                   
was present for testimony.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:49:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Meyer said there would  be no public testimony as it                                                                   
had  been  closed at  the  previous  hearing.   He  mentioned                                                                   
concerns regarding how it could  work within statewide cities                                                                   
& towns.   Mr.  Pawlowski  acknowledged discussion  regarding                                                                   
that  concern.   Most places  have  building departments  and                                                                   
planning review divisions.  There  was concern that the staff                                                                   
providing reviews  might not be  structural engineers.   That                                                                   
argument  was countered  that building  codes prohibit  third                                                                   
stories being built in areas where  earthquakes or high winds                                                                   
exist  and it  is a  mute point  for  the bill.   He  thought                                                                   
reviews by structural  engineers add expense.   Mr. Pawlowski                                                                   
advised that Alaska Statute, Page  2, Lines 13 & 14, itemizes                                                                   
the exceptions.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:51:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Pawlowski  added  that  per  request  of  Representative                                                                   
Kelly, contact  with various  statewide building  departments                                                                   
was made and have remained neutral on the bill.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Representative   Hawker   noted    he   initially   expressed                                                                   
reservation out  of deference  to the Architects,  Engineers,                                                                   
and  Land  Surveyors  (AELS)  Board,  but  his  position  had                                                                   
changed and now supports the bill.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2:53:27 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Vice  Chair Stoltze  pointed out  the high  cost of  building                                                                   
residential  units statewide  and how  costs associated  with                                                                   
engineering  increase  that price  tag.   He  emphasized  the                                                                   
escalation of  building costs,  stating he would  support the                                                                   
bill.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:55:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Meyer  understood that  it would conform  the Alaska                                                                   
code  to the  International  Building and  Residential  code.                                                                   
Mr. Pawlowski stated that there  might be some distinction in                                                                   
the residential code.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kerttula voiced  the serious concerns that are                                                                   
not being  acknowledged regarding  load safety.   She advised                                                                   
that she would address those concerns on the House Floor.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:56:18 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Foster MOVED to  REPORT CS HB 377 (L&C) out of                                                                   
Committee  with  individual  recommendations   and  with  the                                                                   
accompanying zero note.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CS HB  377 (L&C)  was reported  out of  Committee with  a "do                                                                   
pass" recommendation and with  zero note #1 by the Department                                                                   
of Commerce, Community & Economic Development.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:57:02 PM