Bill Text: FL S1372 | 2017 | Regular Session | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Building-related Contracting

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (? 3-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-05-05 - Died pending review, Rule 4.7(2), companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 1021 (Ch. 2017-149) [S1372 Detail]

Download: Florida-2017-S1372-Comm_Sub.html
       Florida Senate - 2017               CS for CS for CS for SB 1372
       
       
        
       By the Committees on Appropriations; Community Affairs; and
       Regulated Industries; and Senator Perry
       
       
       
       
       576-04736A-17                                         20171372c3
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to building-related contracting;
    3         amending s. 468.603, F.S.; revising definitions;
    4         amending s. 468.609, F.S.; revising eligibility
    5         requirements for the examination for certification as
    6         a building code inspector or plans examiner to include
    7         an internship certification program; removing an
    8         eligibility condition from provisions related to
    9         provisional certificates; requiring the Florida
   10         Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board to
   11         establish rules; amending s. 468.617, F.S.;
   12         authorizing specified entities to contract for the
   13         provision of building code administrator and building
   14         official services; amending s. 553.791, F.S.; revising
   15         a definition; conforming cross-references, conforming
   16         provisions to changes made by the act; amending ss.
   17         471.045 and 481.222, F.S.; conforming cross
   18         references; amending s. 489.516, F.S.; specifying that
   19         provisions regulating certified electrical contractors
   20         and certified alarm system contractors do not prevent
   21         such contractors from acting as a prime contractor or
   22         from subcontracting work to other licensed contractors
   23         under certain circumstances; amending s. 553.73, F.S.;
   24         requiring the Florida Building Commission to use
   25         certain entities and codes for updates to the Florida
   26         Building Code; revising voting requirements for a
   27         technical advisory committee to make a favorable
   28         recommendation to the commission; providing that
   29         certain technical amendments to the Florida Building
   30         Code which are adopted by a local government are not
   31         rendered void when the code is updated; specifying
   32         that such amendments are subject to review or
   33         modification if carried forward into the next edition
   34         of the code; requiring the commission to update the
   35         Florida Building Code through a review of the most
   36         current updates of specified codes; requiring the
   37         commission to adopt specified provisions from certain
   38         codes; deleting provisions limiting how long an
   39         amendment or modification is effective; deleting a
   40         provision requiring certain amendments or
   41         modifications to be carried forward into the next
   42         edition of the code, subject to certain conditions;
   43         deleting certain requirements for the resubmission of
   44         expired amendments; deleting a provision prohibiting a
   45         proposed amendment from being included in the code if
   46         it has been addressed in the international code;
   47         prohibiting the commission from adopting certain
   48         provisions into the Florida Building Code; conforming
   49         provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
   50         553.76, F.S.; requiring the commission to adopt the
   51         Florida Building Code, and amendments thereto, by a
   52         minimum percentage of votes; providing an effective
   53         date.
   54          
   55  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   56  
   57         Section 1. Section 468.603, Florida Statutes, is reordered
   58  and amended to read:
   59         468.603 Definitions.—As used in this part:
   60         (2)(1) “Building code administrator” or “building official”
   61  means any of those employees of municipal or county governments,
   62  or any person contracted, with building construction regulation
   63  responsibilities who are charged with the responsibility for
   64  direct regulatory administration or supervision of plan review,
   65  enforcement, or inspection of building construction, erection,
   66  repair, addition, remodeling, demolition, or alteration projects
   67  that require permitting indicating compliance with building,
   68  plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, energy,
   69  accessibility, and other construction codes as required by state
   70  law or municipal or county ordinance. This term is synonymous
   71  with “building official” as used in the administrative chapter
   72  of the Standard Building Code and the South Florida Building
   73  Code. One person employed or contracted by each municipal or
   74  county government as a building code administrator or building
   75  official and who is so certified under this part may be
   76  authorized to perform any plan review or inspection for which
   77  certification is required by this part, including performing any
   78  plan review or inspection as a currently designated standard
   79  certified building official under an interagency service
   80  agreement with a jurisdiction having a population of 50,000 or
   81  less.
   82         (4)(2) “Building code inspector” means any of those
   83  employees of local governments or state agencies, or any person
   84  contracted, with building construction regulation
   85  responsibilities who themselves conduct inspections of building
   86  construction, erection, repair, addition, or alteration projects
   87  that require permitting indicating compliance with building,
   88  plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, energy,
   89  accessibility, and other construction codes as required by state
   90  law or municipal or county ordinance.
   91         (1)(3) “Board” means the Florida Building Code
   92  Administrators and Inspectors Board.
   93         (7)(4) “Department” means the Department of Business and
   94  Professional Regulation.
   95         (6)(5) “Certificate” means a certificate of qualification
   96  issued by the department as provided in this part.
   97         (5)(6) “Categories of building code inspectors” include the
   98  following:
   99         (a) “Building inspector” means a person who is qualified to
  100  inspect and determine that buildings and structures are
  101  constructed in accordance with the provisions of the governing
  102  building codes and state accessibility laws.
  103         (b) “Coastal construction inspector” means a person who is
  104  qualified to inspect and determine that buildings and structures
  105  are constructed to resist near-hurricane and hurricane velocity
  106  winds in accordance with the provisions of the governing
  107  building code.
  108         (c) “Commercial electrical inspector” means a person who is
  109  qualified to inspect and determine the electrical safety of
  110  commercial buildings and structures by inspecting for compliance
  111  with the provisions of the National Electrical Code.
  112         (h)(d) “Residential electrical inspector” means a person
  113  who is qualified to inspect and determine the electrical safety
  114  of one and two family dwellings and accessory structures by
  115  inspecting for compliance with the applicable provisions of the
  116  governing electrical code.
  117         (e) “Mechanical inspector” means a person who is qualified
  118  to inspect and determine that the mechanical installations and
  119  systems for buildings and structures are in compliance with the
  120  provisions of the governing mechanical code.
  121         (g)(f) “Plumbing inspector” means a person who is qualified
  122  to inspect and determine that the plumbing installations and
  123  systems for buildings and structures are in compliance with the
  124  provisions of the governing plumbing code.
  125         (f)(g) “One and two family dwelling inspector” means a
  126  person who is qualified to inspect and determine that one and
  127  two family dwellings and accessory structures are constructed in
  128  accordance with the provisions of the governing building,
  129  plumbing, mechanical, accessibility, and electrical codes.
  130         (d)(h) “Electrical inspector” means a person who is
  131  qualified to inspect and determine the electrical safety of
  132  commercial and residential buildings and accessory structures by
  133  inspecting for compliance with the provisions of the National
  134  Electrical Code.
  135         (8)(7) “Plans examiner” means a person who is qualified to
  136  determine that plans submitted for purposes of obtaining
  137  building and other permits comply with the applicable building,
  138  plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, energy,
  139  accessibility, and other applicable construction codes. The term
  140  includes a residential plans examiner who is qualified to
  141  determine that plans submitted for purposes of obtaining
  142  building and other permits comply with the applicable
  143  residential building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas,
  144  energy, accessibility, and other applicable construction codes.
  145  Categories of plans examiners include:
  146         (a) Building plans examiner.
  147         (b) Plumbing plans examiner.
  148         (c) Mechanical plans examiner.
  149         (d) Electrical plans examiner.
  150         (3)(8) “Building code enforcement official” or “enforcement
  151  official” means a licensed building code administrator, building
  152  code inspector, or plans examiner.
  153         Section 2. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2), paragraphs (a)
  154  and (d) of subsection (7), and subsection (10) of section
  155  468.609, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  156         468.609 Administration of this part; standards for
  157  certification; additional categories of certification.—
  158         (2) A person may take the examination for certification as
  159  a building code inspector or plans examiner pursuant to this
  160  part if the person:
  161         (c) Meets eligibility requirements according to one of the
  162  following criteria:
  163         1. Demonstrates 5 years’ combined experience in the field
  164  of construction or a related field, building code inspection, or
  165  plans review corresponding to the certification category sought;
  166         2. Demonstrates a combination of postsecondary education in
  167  the field of construction or a related field and experience
  168  which totals 4 years, with at least 1 year of such total being
  169  experience in construction, building code inspection, or plans
  170  review;
  171         3. Demonstrates a combination of technical education in the
  172  field of construction or a related field and experience which
  173  totals 4 years, with at least 1 year of such total being
  174  experience in construction, building code inspection, or plans
  175  review;
  176         4. Currently holds a standard certificate issued by the
  177  board or a firesafety inspector license issued pursuant to
  178  chapter 633, has a minimum of 3 years’ verifiable full-time
  179  experience in inspection or plan review, and has satisfactorily
  180  completed a building code inspector or plans examiner training
  181  program that provides at least 100 hours but not more than 200
  182  hours of cross-training in the certification category sought.
  183  The board shall establish by rule criteria for the development
  184  and implementation of the training programs. The board shall
  185  accept all classroom training offered by an approved provider if
  186  the content substantially meets the intent of the classroom
  187  component of the training program;
  188         5. Demonstrates a combination of the completion of an
  189  approved training program in the field of building code
  190  inspection or plan review and a minimum of 2 years’ experience
  191  in the field of building code inspection, plan review, fire code
  192  inspections and fire plans review of new buildings as a
  193  firesafety inspector certified under s. 633.216, or
  194  construction. The approved training portion of this requirement
  195  shall include proof of satisfactory completion of a training
  196  program that provides at least 200 hours but not more than 300
  197  hours of cross-training that is approved by the board in the
  198  chosen category of building code inspection or plan review in
  199  the certification category sought with at least 20 hours but not
  200  more than 30 hours of instruction in state laws, rules, and
  201  ethics relating to professional standards of practice, duties,
  202  and responsibilities of a certificateholder. The board shall
  203  coordinate with the Building Officials Association of Florida,
  204  Inc., to establish by rule the development and implementation of
  205  the training program. However, the board shall accept all
  206  classroom training offered by an approved provider if the
  207  content substantially meets the intent of the classroom
  208  component of the training program; or
  209         6. Currently holds a standard certificate issued by the
  210  board or a firesafety inspector license issued pursuant to
  211  chapter 633 and:
  212         a. Has at least 5 years’ verifiable full-time experience as
  213  an inspector or plans examiner in a standard certification
  214  category currently held or has a minimum of 5 years’ verifiable
  215  full-time experience as a firesafety inspector licensed pursuant
  216  to chapter 633;.
  217         b. Has satisfactorily completed a building code inspector
  218  or plans examiner classroom training course or program that
  219  provides at least 200 but not more than 300 hours in the
  220  certification category sought, except for one-family and two
  221  family dwelling training programs, which must provide at least
  222  500 but not more than 800 hours of training as prescribed by the
  223  board. The board shall establish by rule criteria for the
  224  development and implementation of classroom training courses and
  225  programs in each certification category; or
  226         7.a.Has completed a 4-year internship certification
  227  program as a building code inspector or plans examiner while
  228  employed full-time by a municipality, county, or other
  229  governmental jurisdiction, under the direct supervision of a
  230  certified building official. Proof of graduation with a related
  231  vocational degree or college degree or of verifiable work
  232  experience may be exchanged for the internship experience
  233  requirement year-for-year, but may reduce the requirement to no
  234  less than 1 year;
  235         b.Has passed an examination administered by the
  236  International Code Council in the certification category sought.
  237  Such examination must be passed before beginning the internship
  238  certification program;
  239         c.Has passed the principles and practice examination
  240  before completing the internship certification program;
  241         d.Has passed a board-approved 40-hour code training course
  242  in the certification category sought before completing the
  243  internship certification program; and
  244         e.Has obtained a favorable recommendation from the
  245  supervising building official after completion of the internship
  246  certification program.
  247         (7)(a) The board shall provide for the issuance of
  248  provisional certificates valid for 1 year, as specified by board
  249  rule, to any newly employed or promoted building code inspector
  250  or plans examiner who meets the eligibility requirements
  251  described in subsection (2) and any newly employed or promoted
  252  building code administrator who meets the eligibility
  253  requirements described in subsection (3). The provisional
  254  license may be renewed by the board for just cause; however, a
  255  provisional license is not valid for longer than 3 years.
  256         (d) A newly employed or hired person may perform the duties
  257  of a plans examiner or building code inspector for 120 days if a
  258  provisional certificate application has been submitted if such
  259  person is under the direct supervision of a certified building
  260  code administrator who holds a standard certification and who
  261  has found such person qualified for a provisional certificate.
  262  Direct supervision and the determination of qualifications may
  263  also be provided by a building code administrator who holds a
  264  limited or provisional certificate in a county having a
  265  population of fewer than 75,000 and in a municipality located
  266  within such county.
  267         (10)(a) The board may by rule create categories of
  268  certification in addition to those defined in s. 468.603(5) and
  269  (8) 468.603(6) and (7). Such certification categories shall not
  270  be mandatory and shall not act to diminish the scope of any
  271  certificate created by statute.
  272         (b)The board shall by rule establish:
  273         1.Reciprocity of certification with any other state that
  274  requires an examination administered by the International Code
  275  Council.
  276         2.An applicant for certification as a building code
  277  inspector or plans examiner may apply for a provisional
  278  certificate valid for the duration of the internship period.
  279         3.Partial completion of an internship program may be
  280  transferred between jurisdictions on a form prescribed by the
  281  board.
  282         4.An applicant may apply for a standard certificate on a
  283  form prescribed by the board upon successful completion of an
  284  internship certification program.
  285         5.An applicant may apply for a standard certificate at
  286  least 30 days and no more than 60 days before completing the
  287  internship certification program.
  288         6.A building code inspector or plans examiner who has
  289  standard certification may seek an additional certification in
  290  another category by completing an additional nonconcurrent 1
  291  year internship program in the certification category sought and
  292  passing an examination administered by the International Code
  293  Council and a board-approved 40-hour code training course.
  294         Section 3. Subsection (3) of section 468.617, Florida
  295  Statutes, is amended to read:
  296         468.617 Joint building code inspection department; other
  297  arrangements.—
  298         (3) Nothing in this part shall prohibit any county or
  299  municipal government, school board, community college board,
  300  state university, or state agency from entering into any
  301  contract with any person or entity for the provision of building
  302  code administrator, building official, or building code
  303  inspection services regulated under this part, and
  304  notwithstanding any other statutory provision, such county or
  305  municipal governments may enter into contracts.
  306         Section 4. Paragraphs (d) and (i) of subsection (1) of
  307  section 553.791, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  308         553.791 Alternative plans review and inspection.—
  309         (1) As used in this section, the term:
  310         (d) “Building code inspection services” means those
  311  services described in s. 468.603(5) and (8) 468.603(6) and (7)
  312  involving the review of building plans to determine compliance
  313  with applicable codes and those inspections required by law of
  314  each phase of construction for which permitting by a local
  315  enforcement agency is required to determine compliance with
  316  applicable codes.
  317         (i) “Private provider” means a person licensed as a
  318  building code administrator under part XII of chapter 468, as an
  319  engineer under chapter 471, or as an architect under chapter
  320  481. For purposes of performing inspections under this section
  321  for additions and alterations that are limited to 1,000 square
  322  feet or less to residential buildings, the term “private
  323  provider” also includes a person who holds a standard
  324  certificate under part XII of chapter 468.
  325         Section 5. Section 471.045, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  326  read:
  327         471.045 Professional engineers performing building code
  328  inspector duties.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
  329  person who is currently licensed under this chapter to practice
  330  as a professional engineer may provide building code inspection
  331  services described in s. 468.603(5) and (8) 468.603(6) and (7)
  332  to a local government or state agency upon its request, without
  333  being certified by the Florida Building Code Administrators and
  334  Inspectors Board under part XII of chapter 468. When performing
  335  these building code inspection services, the professional
  336  engineer is subject to the disciplinary guidelines of this
  337  chapter and s. 468.621(1)(c)-(h). Any complaint processing,
  338  investigation, and discipline that arise out of a professional
  339  engineer’s performing building code inspection services shall be
  340  conducted by the Board of Professional Engineers rather than the
  341  Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board. A
  342  professional engineer may not perform plans review as an
  343  employee of a local government upon any job that the
  344  professional engineer or the professional engineer’s company
  345  designed.
  346         Section 6. Section 481.222, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  347  read:
  348         481.222 Architects performing building code inspection
  349  services.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person
  350  who is currently licensed to practice as an architect under this
  351  part may provide building code inspection services described in
  352  s. 468.603(5) and (8) 468.603(6) and (7) to a local government
  353  or state agency upon its request, without being certified by the
  354  Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board under
  355  part XII of chapter 468. With respect to the performance of such
  356  building code inspection services, the architect is subject to
  357  the disciplinary guidelines of this part and s. 468.621(1)(c)
  358  (h). Any complaint processing, investigation, and discipline
  359  that arise out of an architect’s performance of building code
  360  inspection services shall be conducted by the Board of
  361  Architecture and Interior Design rather than the Florida
  362  Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board. An architect
  363  may not perform plans review as an employee of a local
  364  government upon any job that the architect or the architect’s
  365  company designed.
  366         Section 7. Present subsection (5) of section 489.516,
  367  Florida Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (6), and a new
  368  subsection (5) is added to that section, to read:
  369         489.516 Qualifications to practice; restrictions;
  370  prerequisites.—
  371         (5)This part does not prevent any certified electrical or
  372  alarm system contractor from acting as a prime contractor where
  373  the majority of the work to be performed under the contract is
  374  within the scope of his or her license or from subcontracting to
  375  other licensed contractors that remaining work that is part of
  376  the project contracted.
  377         Section 8. Subsection (3) of section 553.73, Florida
  378  Statutes, is amended, paragraph (d) is added to subsection (4)
  379  of that section, subsections (7) and (8) and paragraphs (a) and
  380  (b) of subsection (9) of that section are amended, and
  381  subsection (20) is added to that section, to read:
  382         553.73 Florida Building Code.—
  383         (3) The commission shall use the International Codes
  384  published by the International Code Council, the National
  385  Electric Code (NFPA 70), or other nationally adopted model codes
  386  and standards for updates to needed to develop the base code in
  387  Florida to form the foundation for the Florida Building Code.
  388  The Florida Building commission may approve technical amendments
  389  to the code as provided in, subject to subsections (8) and (9),
  390  after the amendments have been subject to all of the following
  391  conditions:
  392         (a) The proposed amendment must have has been published on
  393  the commission’s website for a minimum of 45 days and all the
  394  associated documentation must have has been made available to
  395  any interested party before any consideration by a technical
  396  advisory committee.;
  397         (b) In order for a technical advisory committee to make a
  398  favorable recommendation to the commission, the proposal must
  399  receive a two-thirds three-fourths vote of the members present
  400  at the technical advisory committee meeting. and At least half
  401  of the regular members must be present in order to conduct a
  402  meeting.;
  403         (c) After the technical advisory committee has considered
  404  and recommended consideration and a recommendation for approval
  405  of any proposed amendment, the proposal must be published on the
  406  commission’s website for at least 45 days before any
  407  consideration by the commission.; and
  408         (d) A proposal may be modified by the commission based on
  409  public testimony and evidence from a public hearing held in
  410  accordance with chapter 120.
  411  
  412  The commission shall incorporate within sections of the Florida
  413  Building Code provisions that which address regional and local
  414  concerns and variations. The commission shall make every effort
  415  to minimize conflicts between the Florida Building Code, the
  416  Florida Fire Prevention Code, and the Life Safety Code.
  417         (4)
  418         (d) A technical amendment to the Florida Building Code
  419  related to water conservation practices or design criteria
  420  adopted by a local government pursuant to this subsection is not
  421  rendered void when the code is updated if the technical
  422  amendment is necessary to protect or provide for more efficient
  423  use of water resources as provided in s. 373.621. However, any
  424  such technical amendment carried forward into the next edition
  425  of the code pursuant to this paragraph is subject to review or
  426  modification as provided in this part.
  427         (7)(a) The commission, by rule adopted pursuant to ss.
  428  120.536(1) and 120.54, shall adopt an updated update the Florida
  429  Building Code every 3 years through review of. when updating the
  430  Florida Building Code, the commission shall select the most
  431  current updates version of the International Building Code, the
  432  International Fuel Gas Code, the International Mechanical Code,
  433  the International Plumbing Code, and the International
  434  Residential Code, all of which are copyrighted and published by
  435  adopted by the International Code Council, and the National
  436  Electrical Code, which is copyrighted and published adopted by
  437  the National Fire Protection Association. At a minimum, the
  438  commission shall adopt any updates to such codes or any other
  439  code necessary to maintain eligibility for federal funding from
  440  the National Flood Insurance Program, the Federal Emergency
  441  Management Agency, and the United States Department of Housing
  442  and Urban Development, to form the foundation codes of the
  443  updated Florida Building Code, if the version has been adopted
  444  by the applicable model code entity. The commission shall also
  445  review and adopt updates based substantially on select the most
  446  current version of the International Energy Conservation Code
  447  (IECC) as a foundation code; however, the IECC shall be modified
  448  by the commission shall to maintain the efficiencies of the
  449  Florida Energy Efficiency Code for Building Construction adopted
  450  and amended pursuant to s. 553.901. The commission shall adopt
  451  updated codes by rule.
  452         (b) Codes regarding noise contour lines shall be reviewed
  453  annually, and the most current federal guidelines shall be
  454  adopted.
  455         (c) The commission may adopt as a technical amendment to
  456  the Florida Building Code modify any portion of the foundation
  457  codes identified in paragraph (a), but only as needed to
  458  accommodate the specific needs of this state. Standards or
  459  criteria adopted from these referenced by the codes shall be
  460  incorporated by reference to the specific provisions adopted. If
  461  a referenced standard or criterion requires amplification or
  462  modification to be appropriate for use in this state, only the
  463  amplification or modification shall be set forth in the Florida
  464  Building Code. The commission may approve technical amendments
  465  to the updated Florida Building Code after the amendments have
  466  been subject to the conditions set forth in paragraphs (3)(a)
  467  (d). Amendments that to the foundation codes which are adopted
  468  in accordance with this subsection shall be clearly marked in
  469  printed versions of the Florida Building Code so that the fact
  470  that the provisions are Florida-specific amendments to the
  471  foundation codes is readily apparent.
  472         (d) The commission shall further consider the commission’s
  473  own interpretations, declaratory statements, appellate
  474  decisions, and approved statewide and local technical amendments
  475  and shall incorporate such interpretations, statements,
  476  decisions, and amendments into the updated Florida Building Code
  477  only to the extent that they are needed to modify the foundation
  478  codes to accommodate the specific needs of the state. A change
  479  made by an institute or standards organization to any standard
  480  or criterion that is adopted by reference in the Florida
  481  Building Code does not become effective statewide until it has
  482  been adopted by the commission. Furthermore, the edition of the
  483  Florida Building Code which is in effect on the date of
  484  application for any permit authorized by the code governs the
  485  permitted work for the life of the permit and any extension
  486  granted to the permit.
  487         (e) A rule updating the Florida Building Code in accordance
  488  with this subsection shall take effect no sooner than 6 months
  489  after publication of the updated code. Any amendment to the
  490  Florida Building Code which is adopted upon a finding by the
  491  commission that the amendment is necessary to protect the public
  492  from immediate threat of harm takes effect immediately.
  493         (f) Provisions of the Florida Building Code foundation
  494  codes, including those contained in referenced standards and
  495  criteria, relating to wind resistance or the prevention of water
  496  intrusion may not be modified to diminish those construction
  497  requirements; however, the commission may, subject to conditions
  498  in this subsection, modify the provisions to enhance those
  499  construction requirements.
  500         (g) Amendments or modifications to the foundation code
  501  pursuant to this subsection shall remain effective only until
  502  the effective date of a new edition of the Florida Building Code
  503  every third year. Amendments or modifications related to state
  504  agency regulations which are adopted and integrated into an
  505  edition of the Florida Building Code shall be carried forward
  506  into the next edition of the code, subject to modification as
  507  provided in this part. Amendments or modifications related to
  508  the wind-resistance design of buildings and structures within
  509  the high-velocity hurricane zone of Miami-Dade and Broward
  510  Counties which are adopted to an edition of the Florida Building
  511  Code do not expire and shall be carried forward into the next
  512  edition of the code, subject to review or modification as
  513  provided in this part. If amendments that expire pursuant to
  514  this paragraph are resubmitted through the Florida Building
  515  commission code adoption process, the amendments must
  516  specifically address whether:
  517         1. The provisions contained in the proposed amendment are
  518  addressed in the applicable international code.
  519         2. The amendment demonstrates by evidence or data that the
  520  geographical jurisdiction of Florida exhibits a need to
  521  strengthen the foundation code beyond the needs or regional
  522  variations addressed by the foundation code, and why the
  523  proposed amendment applies to this state.
  524         3. The proposed amendment was submitted or attempted to be
  525  included in the foundation codes to avoid resubmission to the
  526  Florida Building Code amendment process.
  527  
  528  If the proposed amendment has been addressed in the
  529  international code in a substantially equivalent manner, the
  530  Florida Building commission may not include the proposed
  531  amendment in the foundation Code.
  532         (8) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3) or
  533  subsection (7), the commission may address issues identified in
  534  this subsection by amending the code pursuant only to the rule
  535  adoption procedures contained in chapter 120. Provisions of The
  536  Florida Building Code, including provisions those contained in
  537  referenced standards and criteria which relate, relating to wind
  538  resistance or the prevention of water intrusion, may not be
  539  amended pursuant to this subsection to diminish those standards
  540  construction requirements; however, the commission may, subject
  541  to conditions in this subsection, amend the Florida Building
  542  Code the provisions to enhance such standards those construction
  543  requirements. Following the approval of any amendments to the
  544  Florida Building Code by the commission and publication of the
  545  amendments on the commission’s website, authorities having
  546  jurisdiction to enforce the Florida Building Code may enforce
  547  the amendments. The commission may approve amendments that are
  548  needed to address:
  549         (a) Conflicts within the updated code;
  550         (b) Conflicts between the updated code and the Florida Fire
  551  Prevention Code adopted pursuant to chapter 633;
  552         (c) Unintended results from the integration of previously
  553  adopted Florida-specific amendments with the model code;
  554         (d) Equivalency of standards;
  555         (e) Changes to or inconsistencies with federal or state
  556  law; or
  557         (f) Adoption of an updated edition of the National
  558  Electrical Code if the commission finds that delay of
  559  implementing the updated edition causes undue hardship to
  560  stakeholders or otherwise threatens the public health, safety,
  561  and welfare.
  562         (9)(a) The commission may approve technical amendments to
  563  the Florida Building Code once each year for statewide or
  564  regional application upon a finding that the amendment:
  565         1. Is needed in order to accommodate the specific needs of
  566  this state.
  567         2. Has a reasonable and substantial connection with the
  568  health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
  569         3. Strengthens or improves the Florida Building Code, or in
  570  the case of innovation or new technology, will provide
  571  equivalent or better products or methods or systems of
  572  construction.
  573         4. Does not discriminate against materials, products,
  574  methods, or systems of construction of demonstrated
  575  capabilities.
  576         5. Does not degrade the effectiveness of the Florida
  577  Building Code.
  578  
  579  The Florida Building Commission may approve technical amendments
  580  to the code once each year to incorporate into the Florida
  581  Building Code its own interpretations of the code which are
  582  embodied in its opinions, final orders, declaratory statements,
  583  and interpretations of hearing officer panels under s.
  584  553.775(3)(c), but only to the extent that the incorporation of
  585  interpretations is needed to modify the code foundation codes to
  586  accommodate the specific needs of this state. Amendments
  587  approved under this paragraph shall be adopted by rule after the
  588  amendments have been subjected to subsection (3).
  589         (b) A proposed amendment must include a fiscal impact
  590  statement that documents the costs and benefits of the proposed
  591  amendment. Criteria for the fiscal impact statement shall be
  592  established by rule by the commission and shall include the
  593  impact to local government relative to enforcement, the impact
  594  to property and building owners, and the impact to industry,
  595  relative to the cost of compliance. The amendment must
  596  demonstrate by evidence or data that the state’s geographical
  597  jurisdiction exhibits a need to strengthen the foundation code
  598  beyond the needs or regional variations addressed by the
  599  foundation code and why the proposed amendment applies to this
  600  state.
  601         (20) The commission may not:
  602         (a) Adopt the 2016 version of the American Society of
  603  Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard
  604  90.1, s. 9.4.1.1(g).
  605         (b) Adopt any provision that requires a door located in the
  606  opening between a garage and a residence to be equipped with a
  607  self-closing device.
  608         Section 9. Subsection (2) of section 553.76, Florida
  609  Statutes, is amended to read:
  610         553.76 General powers of the commission.—The commission is
  611  authorized to:
  612         (2) Issue memoranda of procedure for its internal
  613  management and control. The commission may adopt rules related
  614  to its consensus-based decisionmaking process, including, but
  615  not limited to, super majority voting requirements for
  616  commission actions relating to the adoption of the Florida
  617  Building Code or amendments to the code. However, the commission
  618  must adopt the Florida Building Code, and amendments thereto, by
  619  at least a two-thirds vote of the members present at a meeting.
  620         Section 10. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017.

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