Date: 03/12/2012
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1319
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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01:56 PM
The committee returned from recess.
01:56 PM -- House Bill 12-1319
Representative Gardner, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 12-1319, concerning building inspections relating to utilities in public schools. Representative Gardner explained that current law requires the electrical and plumbing inspections of public school buildings to be performed by state inspectors, although local building departments also inspect school buildings. He discussed the need to remove this requirement and allow local building departments to perform electrical and plumbing inspections of public school buildings within their jurisdiction. Representative Gardner addressed questions from the committee concerning the current process for inspecting public school buildings and the qualifications of local building inspectors to complete thorough inspections of school buildings.
02:05 PM
Bob Croft, representing the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD), testified in support of the bill and explained that the PPRBD is an enterprise entity created by several local governments to perform building inspections throughout El Paso County. Mr. Croft discussed the need for the bill and explained that, under current law, the PPRBD cannot currently complete inspections of public school buildings constructed within El Paso County. Mr. Croft addressed questions from the committee and discussed why local building departments should conduct the required inspections of public schools, but not colleges and universities.
02:18 PM
Brian Pritchard, representing the Division of Registrations under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), addressed the committee to respond to questions and discussed the different requirements in state law for electrical and plumbing inspections. Mr. Pritchard explained that current state law regulates electrical inspections, but not plumbing inspections. He also explained that the bill would allow local entities to opt out of conducting building inspections of public school buildings.
02:29 PM
Committee discussion ensued concerning the need for the bill and whether the bill would reduce the number of state building inspectors.
02:30 PM
Kandice McKeon, representing the Colorado Building and Trades Council, testified against the bill and talked about the need for public school buildings to be held to the uniform inspection standards required under current state law.
02:34 PM
Ed Knox, representing Local Chapter 68 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, testified against the bill and talked about the need for consistent inspections standards for public schools throughout the state. Mr. Knox addressed questions from the committee and discussed problems that could occur if different standards for public schools are applied by different local governments. Discussion ensued between Mr. Knox and the committee concerning the need for the bill and the different requirements for electrical and plumbing inspections under current state law.
02:44 PM
Becky Baker, representing the Colorado Chapter of the International Code Council, testified against the introduced version of the bill and discussed the need for consistent building codes for all school buildings throughout the state. Ms. Baker responded to questions from the committee and talked about the need for the bill to be amended.
02:48 PM
Tom Lofland, representing himself, testified against the bill and discussed the benefits of state inspectors assisting with the inspection of public school buildings. Mr. Lofland discussed complications that would result from the bill and addressed questions from the committee concerning the relationship between state and local building inspectors and school districts.
03:03 PM
John Goodloe, representing CSNA Architects, testified in support of the bill and discussed complications with the current state planning review process of coordinating state and local planning inspections of public school buildings. Mr. Goodloe addressed questions from the committee and discussed a personal case involving the Office of the State Architect and the Examining Board of Plumbers under DORA.
03:13 PM
Ralph Lufen, representing the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, testified in support of the bill and discussed the importance of ensuring that electrical contractors are properly licensed. Mr. Lufen addressed questions from the committee concerning the licensing of electrical contractors and talked about the standards of the National Electrical Code.
03:18 PM
R.J. Hicks, representing the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors, addressed the committee to discuss concerns with the bill and talked about the need to amend certain provisions of the bill.
03:22 PM
Representative Gardner made closing comments on the bill and talked about the need for more time to address some concerns over the bill.
03:27 PM
Representative Bradford laid House Bill 12-1319 over.
03:28 PM
The committee adjourned.