Legislature(2011 - 2012)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/29/2011 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB130 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 130 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 130-RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
3:35:04 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced the consideration of HB 130. [CSHB
130(L&C), version B, was before the committee.]
3:35:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KURT OLSON, speaking as the co-chair of the House
Labor and Commerce Committee, sponsor of HB 130, said this bill
made its way through both the Senate and House during the
previous session [the 26th Legislature], but did not pass in
time. He explained that the bulk of the work was done last year
and this year there has been no opposition. HB 130 states that a
municipality can change a building code to require sprinklers in
all new construction, but an expanded hearing process is
required first. He explained that this will allow people in the
community to have some input before it is mandated. He noted
that it took numerous meeting during the previous session to get
a concession from the various interest groups including: the
Alaska Municipal League, the Realtors Association, the Home
Builders Association, and the Fire Chief's Association. He said
that, amongst these individuals and groups, there is no
opposition this year. He urged the committee to consider this
bill.
3:37:37 PM
CHAIR OLSON said that installing a sprinkler system is obviously
going to cost more money. He asked whether there has been
concern or opposition to the bill from home buyers.
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON replied that retro-fitting a sprinkler
system would have a significant cost. However, HB 130 addresses
the adoption of the codes for a new sprinkler system. He said he
believes that in communities where there is opposition the
building code would probably not be adopted.
CHAIR OLSON said that when building a building, requiring the
installation of a sprinkler system would cost several thousand
dollars more for construction. He asked why wouldn't those
individuals who are going to have to pay more be concerned about
the cost.
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON replied that the bill would only apply to
cities, he believes. He noted that if there was a move to adopt
the building requirement there would be a tremendous amount of
public testimony first.
CHAIR OLSON asked how this bill would affect boroughs who adopt
these codes in comparison to a municipality.
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON replied that the same noticing requirements
would be required.
CHAIR OLSON asked why the bill only addresses residential
buildings and not commercial buildings.
SENATOR KOOKESH replied that commercial buildings already
require sprinkler systems.
3:40:24 PM
JEFF TUCKER, President, Alaska Fire Chiefs Association,
testified in support of HB 130.
3:40:58 PM
PAUL MICHELSOHN, Treasurer, Board of Directors, Alaska State
Home Building Association, testified in support of HB 130. He
said that this bill is a compromise but the association believes
that it will work.
3:42:18 PM
SENATOR MENARD moved to report CSHB 130(L&C), version B, from
the committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s). There being no objection, CSHB 130(L&C) moved
from the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing
Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|