By Phil Riske, managing editor | Rose Law Group Reporter
STATE CAPITOL — Local governments would be prohibited from adopting any mandatory requirements relating to energy efficiency and conservation for new construction under a bill that was scheduled for third reading Tuesday.
The bill (SB 1227 ) is an offshoot of legislation that stalled in the House last year and called for state control of energy building codes. The 2013 bill was opposed by the building and housing industries, but they now support the 2014 measure.
But this year’s bill, which squeaked out of committee on a 3-2 vote, was pulled from the calendar Tuesday, which is usually of sign of a lack of votes for passage.
Spencer Kamps, a lobbyist for the Homebuilders of Central Arizona, told Rose Law Group Reporter on Wednesday he made “the call” to pull the bill, but didn’t offer an explanation.
There is no Arizona mandatory statewide residential or commercial energy code; however, Laws 2001, Chapter 340, established IECC 2000 guidelines as the basis for a voluntary statewide energy code. As a home rule state, local codes are adopted and enforced locally.
The International Code Council develops design, build and compliance codes for construction through a consensus-based private sector system. These codes include the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the International Residential Code (IRC), which establish minimum design and construction requirements and are amended every three years.
SB 1227 is opposed by Arizona Public Service, League of Cities and Towns, The Town of Queen Creek and Salt River Project.
