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.