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HB 5804

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

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Blazejewski and 9 co-sponsors

HB 5804 streamlines the State Building Code board, adopts ICC IRC/IBC by occupancy, requires latest NEC, and aligns ADA Title II/III rules to protect public accessibility.

06/27/2025 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 5804

Summary — HB 5804 (AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY — STATE BUILDING CODE)

Status: Signed by Governor (06/27/2025)
Introduced: February 27, 2025 (primary sponsor Rep. Shekarchi; co-sponsors: Casey, Finkelman, Cotter, Speakman, Blazejewski, Tanzi, Dawson, Stewart, Hull)

Purpose

HB 5804 updates and clarifies administration, membership, and certain substantive authorities of the State Building Code Standards Committee and its State Housing & Property Maintenance Code Subcommittee. It also specifies which national model codes (by category of occupancy) the state building code will adopt and confirms requirements for electrical and accessibility standards.

Key provisions and changes

  • Committee composition and appointments:

    • The Building Code Standards Committee is set at 25 members, appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. Initial staggered terms (eight 1‑year, seven 2‑year, ten 3‑year) then three‑year terms thereafter.
    • Specific seats enumerated: 2 state‑registered architects; 3 registered engineers (mechanical, structural, electrical); 1 landscape architect; 1 full‑time certified electrical inspector; 2 builders/superintendents; 1 public health official; 1 qualified fire code official; 2 from RI Building Trades Council; 2 from RI Builders Association; 1 Class “A” electrician license holder; 1 master plumber; 2 general public; 3 active municipal building officials (from large, mid, and small municipalities); 1 local minimum housing official; and 2 residents who are persons with disabilities (per §42‑87‑1). Members must have at least five years’ practical experience.
    • Members removable by the Governor for cause per §36‑1‑7.

  • Quorum and voting:

    • Substitute B changes the quorum requirement from a fixed number (13) to “a majority of the current members” of the board; majority of those present required for action.

  • Subcommittee composition:

    • State Housing & Property Maintenance Code Subcommittee: nine members — five appointed from current committee members and four appointed by Governor (with Senate consent). Roles for appointees specified (electrical inspector, master plumber/mechanical expert, builder, state fire code official, property manager, current local minimum housing official). The Governor‑appointed four must be local minimum housing officials representing municipalities of specified sizes.

  • Model codes and standards:

    • The bill directs adoption/promulgation of the state building code and allows it to be sectioned by occupancy/type.
    • Clarifies that one‑, two‑, three‑ and four‑family dwellings shall use the International Residential Code (IRC) from the ICC (and any state amendments); multiple dwellings with more than four units, hotels/motels and other commercial structures shall use the Commercial International Building Code (IBC) from the ICC (and state amendments).
    • Confirms rehabilitation building/fire code for existing buildings is included.
    • Requires electrical work to follow the latest National Electrical Code (NEC); the State Building Commission must adopt the latest NEC edition so it takes effect July 1 of the edition year.
    • Reaffirms that state/local codes inconsistent with ADA Title III are repealed and directs the committee to adopt ADA Title II/III consistent rules (language refers to prior 2012 adoption directive and authority to update consistent with future ADA revisions).

Who is affected

  • Municipal building officials, local housing/minimum housing officials, code inspectors, architects, engineers, builders, plumbers, electricians, trade councils, developers and building owners, persons with disabilities (via ADA alignment), and the general public through state building, rehabilitation, electrical and accessibility standards.

Procedural timeline (selected)

  • Introduced: 02/27/2025 (House Municipal Government & Housing)
  • Multiple substitutes and committee actions in May–June 2025
  • House and Senate passed Substitute B as amended (06/21/2025)
  • Transmitted to Governor: 06/23/2025
  • Signed by Governor: 06/27/2025

Note: The posted text was truncated in places; this summary focuses on the sections provided (committee membership/organization, code adoption approach, NEC and ADA alignment, and subcommittee structure).

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

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