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SB 3032

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Frank Ciccone and 3 co-sponsors

States code must align with 2024 IECC, delays changes until 2031 unless approved, and requires plan to achieve 90% building compliance with training and enforcement.

04/16/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 3032

Summary of Bill SB 3032 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes changes to Rhode Island’s State Building Code related to energy conservation.
  • Introduces a moratorium on adopting changes to the state energy conservation code that align with the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) until January 1, 2031, unless the General Assembly approves and the Governor signs the change into law.
  • Requires updates to the energy conservation code to reflect newer IECC editions and electric readiness provisions, with a plan to achieve broad compliance.

Key provisions

Section 1: State energy conservation code requirements

  • The State Building Code Standards Committee must adopt an energy conservation code based on recognized national/international models.
  • The energy conservation code must cover:
    • Building construction
    • Use of renewable energy resources in buildings
    • Efficient energy use within buildings
    • Building site orientation
  • Minimum requirements:
    1. Residential and commercial buildings must meet or exceed the IECC (latest edition) or achieve equivalent or greater energy savings.
      • The committee must revise the Rhode Island energy conservation code within 1 year of any IECC update.
      • Notably, the bill provides sensitivity around IECC editions:
      • The 2021 IECC shall not be adopted.
      • The 2024 IECC must be adopted within 3 months of its release.
      • A moratorium on changes deviating from the 2024 IECC is in effect until January 1, 2031, unless the General Assembly approves and the Governor makes the change effective.
    2. Within 1 year of the 2024 IECC release, the code must meet or exceed the 2024 IECC’s electric readiness provisions.

Section 1(a) Moratorium and updates

  • Establishes a temporary halt on adopting changes to the state energy conservation code that depart from the 2024 IECC until 2031.
  • Any changes during this period would require explicit legislative approval and gubernatorial action to be effective.

Section 2: Implementation plan for broad compliance

  • Within six months after adopting the building codes described, the State Building Code Standards Committee must develop a plan to achieve compliance in at least 90% of new and renovated residential and commercial building space in Rhode Island.
  • The plan must include:
    • Active training programs
    • Enforcement programs
    • Measurements of compliance rates each year

Who/what is affected

  • State Building Code Standards Committee (and related state building office): responsible for updating and enforcing the energy conservation code.
  • New and renovated residential and commercial buildings in Rhode Island: subject to energy efficiency standards aligned with IECC and electric readiness provisions.
  • Building industry stakeholders (builders, developers, engineers, inspectors): subject to updated training and enforcement plans.
  • General population: potential impact on energy efficiency of new construction, with implications for energy costs and environmental impact.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Upon passage of the act.
  • Moratorium: Keeps changes aligned with the 2024 IECC frozen until January 1, 2031 unless waived by the General Assembly and governor.
  • IECC alignment:
    • Must revise to meet/exceed 2024 IECC within 1 year of its release.
    • Must adopt 2024 IECC electric readiness provisions within 1 year of its release.
  • Compliance plan: Due within 6 months after adoption of the building codes described, targeting 90% compliance in new/renovated building space.
  • Public policy guardrails: Requires legislative oversight for any changes deviating from the 2024 IECC during the moratorium period.

Notes

  • The bill emphasizes a cautious approach to updating energy codes, prioritizing a specific edition (2024 IECC) during the moratorium period and linking future changes to legislative approval.
  • Excludes the 2021 IECC from adoption, signaling a preference for newer standards while constraining rapid updates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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