SENATE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, Nos 1708 and 1782

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: JUNE 3, 1996

 

      The Senate Community Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill Nos 1708 and 1782.

      This bill would halt the adoption of modifications of national model construction codes, and, in effect, "freeze" the provisions of the code adopted pursuant to the "State Uniform Construction Code Act," P.L.1975, c.217 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.) to contain only the model codes and standards in effect as of July 1, 1995. The Commissioner of Community Affairs, however, would be granted the power under the bill to adopt those code revisions that she deems to be essential and which comport with the intent of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act." In addition, the commissioner is granted flexibility to replace current code provisions with prior code provisions, if the prior code provisions are more consistent with the intent of the "State Uniform Construction Code Act."

      Recent editions of the national model codes, especially those published by the Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International, Inc., have incorporated provisions which are inconsistent with the balanced intent and purpose of the Uniform Construction Code Act. Such provisions have increased construction costs and placed restrictions on construction practices without proven benefits to public health, safety and welfare, and have subsequently increased the cost of housing in New Jersey.

      The commissioner may only adopt proposed amendments to the code or replace current code provisions with provisions from previous code revisions in consultation with the code advisory board.

      This bill is identical to S-1165 which was also favorably reported by the committee on June 3, 1996.