Bill description: HB 547 would limit the restrictions that local governments can impose through energy codes.
Rating: +1
Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?
HB 547 would prohibit local governments from adopting different building codes than those that have been adopted by the Idaho Building Code Board. This will prevent local jurisdictions from imposing additional restrictions on the construction or maintenance of buildings, except in situations where "good cause for building or life safety exists."
Currently, local jurisdictions have a wide latitude to adopt alternate building code provisions, however, these can only be more restrictive. The current language of Idaho Code states that a local jurisdiction can implement different provisions, “provided such amendments establish at least an equivalent level of protection to that of the adopted building code.”
(+1)
This analysis reflects the Senate amendments to the bill on 3/15.