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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0281.037 2020-2022 i i i Si 4i From: Patrick Hurney Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2021 12:29 PM COUNTY CLERK To: Council Testimony COUNTY OF WAI a 2 Subject: Bill 44 RECEIVED Time Date JUL 2 0 2021 Dear Council Chair David, I would like to submit this letter and written testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Island Housing Coalition in support of Bill 44 Amending the Hawaii County Code as it relates to the Construction Codes. I have also enclosed for your reference the specific chapters of the Hawaii Revised Statutes that I feel are relevant and provide the enabling language for the Building Code Adoption processes. The passage of Bill 44 will provide an opportunity for the County of Hawaii to establish stability with respect to Building Codes that will remain in effect until such time that the State Building Code Council adopts the next State Building Code. During this code life cycle, the County of Hawaii may continue to amend and modify the adopted code to address matters relevant and possibly unique to our community. The passage of Bill 44 does not set in place a permanent set of regulations but rather establishes the fundamental and base code provisions from which to build and improve upon if deemed necessary. As you may be aware,the State Building Code Council(SBCC) is by statute(HRS§107-22 attached),the body that is delegated with the authority and responsibility of adopting the State Building Code. Upon adoption of the State Building Code,each of the four Counties has two years to amend and adopt the State Code for its respective jurisdiction (HRS§ 107-28 attached). Should the County not complete its amendment and adoption process by the end of that two-year period,the State Building Code is by default,adopted by the County. Given that Hawaii County had not adopted the 2012 State Building Code(statutory deadline of November 2020),that unamended State Building Code should have been adopted by default and be in place at this time. However,through an Administrative Policy,the County of Hawaii extended its adoption deadline until August 31,2021. Concurrently,on April 20,2021 the SBCC adopted the 2018 State Building Code and thereby starting the clock on the two-year deadline to adopt the 2018 State Building Code with County amendments. Mahalo, fat Patrick F. Hurney Executive Director Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island R0. Box 4619 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745 808 331-8010 (ext. 103)phone 808 331-8020 fax email: gat—ti ibitatlia«raiiistand_org Comm.No 1.��' J1 Ref.To: PILMIC4111 1 Ref.Date