HB 264 and SB 315 - Alabama Residential Energy Code Board changed to Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board, Model Energy Code replaced with Alabama Energy and Residential Codes, adoption of modern building and energy codes in compliance with federal law to be implemented by counties and municipalities, board members increased, certain farm structures excluded, sprinkler systems provided for,

Sponsor(s):
HB 264 - Reps. Greg Wren, Hill, Wood, Hinshaw, Bridges, McCampbell, Grantland, Grimes, Robinson (O), Vance, Fields, Laird, Todd, Hurst, Martin, Guin, Beasley, Ford, Knight, Love, Shiver, Ison, Beck, Thomas (E), Lewis, Gaston, McMillan, Harper, Treadaway, Letson, Ward, Sanderford, McClurkin, McCutcheon, Mask, Canfield, McDaniel, Dukes, Scott, Allen, Morrow, Ball, Black, Oden, Hubbard, Williams (P), Drake, Thigpen, Taylor, McClammy, England, McClendon, Faust, McAdory, Beech, DeMarco, Williams (J), Buskey, Galliher, Davis, Spicer, Baker (A), Irons, Bentley, Coleman, Moore (P), Johnson, Boyd, Hammon, White, Curtis, Baker (L), Fincher, Gordon, Hilliard, ,

SB 315 -
Sens. Marc Keahey, Brooks, Sanford, Marsh, Mitchem, Dixon, Benefield, Barron, Denton, French, Butler, Little (Z), Ross, Smith, Means, Singleton, Waggoner, Bedford, Dunn

Summary/Synopsis: Alabama Residential Energy Code Board changed to Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board, Model Energy Code replaced with Alabama Energy and Residential Codes, adoption of modern building and energy codes in compliance with federal law to be implemented by counties and municipalities, board members increased, certain farm structures excluded, sprinkler systems provided for,
Download original HB 264. (See Bill Progress for amendments and substitutes.)
Download original SB 315. (See Bill Progress for amendment and substitutes.)
(companion bills)

League Action & Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HB 264 and SB 315. Improving residential building codes is important for energy efficiency and for complying with Federal requirements. However, given concerns about the sprinkler exclusion, the League is monitoring the bill until this issue is resolved.

Bill Progress in the Legislature:

HB 264 -
1/14/2010: 1st reading and referred to 1/21/2010: 2nd reading and places on calendar with one substitute;
1/26/2010: 3rd reading and Commerce 1st substitute (116859-1) offered, motion to adopt adopted. 1st House Amendment (117215-1) offered and adopted, 2nd House Amendment (117238-1) offered and adopted Motion to read a 3rd time and pass adopted (102-0-1), cosponsors added, sent to Senate.
2/04/2010: 1st reading in Senate and referred to 2/25/10: 2nd reading and placed on the calendar with 1 substitute (118991-2). Pending 3rd reading, Favorable from Energy and Natural Resources with 1 substitute.
SB 315 - 2/2/10: 1st reading in Senate and referred to 2/4/10: 2nd reading and placed on the calendar with 1 substitute (117638-4).
2/9/10: Senate 1st Substitute offered and adopted. 1st amendment (118077-1) offered and adopted. Read 3rd time and passed the Senate (32-0). Sent to the House.
2/11/10: 1st reading in the House and referred to 2/23/10: 2nd reading and placed on the calendar with one substitute (118956-2) Pending 3rd reading Favorable from Commerce with 1 substitute. 3/2/2010: 3rd reading and passed; Commerce 1st substitute offered & adopted (101-0-0); motion to adopt passed (101-0-0); Concurrence requested. In Senate, Keahey motion to concur adopted (27-0-0); engrossed bill sent to Governor with request for signature.

HJR 132 - Energy codes, residential and commercial, adoption of as part of statewide building code

Sponsor(s): Rep. Greg Wren

Summary/Synopsis: Energy codes, residential and commercial, adoption of as part of statewide building code
League Action & Justification: LWVAL is monitoring HJR 132. Although only a recommendation, this resolution would give the Alabama Building Commission notice of legislator’s interest in improved building codes. The resolution states that Alabama has the highest rate of residential per capita energy usage in the United States. The recommended codes are the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for residential buildings and the ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007 for commercial buildings, or subsequent editions, changes, or recompilations thereof, which would improve the efficiency of buildings.

Bill Progress in the Legislature: 1st Read: 1/21/10 and assigned to the