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Bill

HB 695

Private Provider Building Inspection Services

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Richard Gentry

Authorizes certified private inspectors to perform building safety inspections currently handled by municipalities, shifting government functions to competitive private market.

Died in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
#(adopted) #(vetoed) #subjectindex
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Bill Summary · HB 695

Legislative bill overview

HB 695 would have authorized private inspectors to conduct building inspections that are currently performed by municipal government employees or contractors. The bill aimed to create a competitive market for inspection services by allowing private providers to be certified and approved to handle official building inspections, potentially reducing costs and wait times.

Why is this important

Building inspections are critical safety functions that verify compliance with construction codes and protect public health and safety. This bill would fundamentally shift who performs these inspections from government-controlled systems to private markets, which could affect inspection quality, liability responsibility, and municipal revenue streams.

Potential points of contention

  • Government vs. private provision of public safety functions: Whether critical safety inspections should remain under direct government oversight or can be adequately regulated through private certification
  • Municipal revenue and control: Cities rely on inspection fees as revenue and use inspections as enforcement tools; privatization could reduce municipal income and regulatory authority
  • Quality and liability concerns: Questions about whether private inspectors would maintain consistent standards across jurisdictions and who bears liability for inadequate inspections
  • Certification standards: Defining what qualifications private inspectors must meet and how they're held accountable compared to government inspectors

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

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