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SB 6291

Streamlining the state building code council operating procedures by establishing criteria for statewide amendments to the state building code.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Perry Dozier and 3 co-sponsors

Sets a fixed three-year cycle for adopting statewide building codes aligned with model codes and makes the State Energy Code the minimum for renovated nonresidential buildings.

Effective date 6/6/2024.
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Bill Summary · SB 6291

Summary — SB 6291 (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6291)

Effective: June 6, 2024
Chapter 170, 2024 Laws

Purpose

SB 6291 streamlines how Washington’s State Building Code Council (SBCC or “Council”) operates and adopts statewide building- and energy-code amendments. The bill creates a predictable, three-year adoption cadence aligned to published model codes, clarifies procedures for off‑cycle, interim, and emergency amendments, and clarifies Council membership, quorum/voting rules, and technical advisory group participation. It also explicitly makes the State Energy Code the minimum energy standard for renovated nonresidential buildings as well as new nonresidential construction.

Key provisions

  • Adoption cycle and timing
    • Establishes a three‑year state building code adoption cycle that follows the model-code publication cycle.
    • Council must review the latest model-code editions and take action on adoption no later than 30 months after the model code’s date of publication.
    • Substantive amendments generally may be adopted only once within each three‑year cycle.
  • Interim, off‑cycle, and emergency amendments
    • Council may initiate an interim adoption cycle if a majority of its voting membership determines one is needed to correct errors or eliminate obsolete/conflicting/redundant regulations.
    • Petitions for emergency statewide amendments may be submitted and considered at any time under RCW 34.05.350. Acceptance of an emergency petition requires at least a two‑thirds vote that an emergency exists; approval of an emergency amendment requires a majority of voting members. The Council may not act on an emergency petition at the meeting where it is first introduced.
    • Off‑cycle amendments may also be initiated if directed by the Legislature.
  • Council operations and membership
    • Reaffirms a 15‑member voting Council (specific categories for county/city officials, code enforcement, fire official, disability representative, general public, and seven private/professional seats such as architects, structural/mechanical engineers, builders, trades, suppliers).
    • Ex officio nonvoting members (legislators and an electrical division employee) retain privileges but do not count toward quorum or voting thresholds.
    • Clarifies term lengths (three years) and that the Council elects an annual chair.
    • Specifies procedures for selecting/removing members and qualifications for technical advisory group (TAG) membership.
  • Process protections
    • Final amendments must generally match the subject presented at public testimony; materially different adopted changes allow an affected party a 60‑day petition to trigger new rulemaking.
    • The Council remains subject to the Administrative Procedure Act and Open Public Meetings Act.

Who is affected

  • Local governments and code enforcement officials (implementation and enforcement).
  • Building industry stakeholders: architects, engineers, builders, trades, manufacturers/suppliers.
  • Owners and developers of nonresidential buildings (renovation projects are now subject to the State Energy Code).
  • First responders (Council must solicit input to address firefighter safety).
  • Disability community and general public (representation and TAG participation).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Passed Senate 47–2 and House 95–0; delivered to and signed by the Governor March 18, 2024. Effective date: June 6, 2024.
  • The bill amends multiple provisions of chapter 19.27 RCW (including RCW 19.27.031, 19.27.070, 19.27.074, 19.27A.025, 19.27A.045, and 19.27.015) and adds new sections to that chapter.

Potential impacts

  • Increased predictability and fewer mid‑cycle substantive changes to statewide codes.
  • Faster statutory deadline (30 months) to act on new model codes may accelerate adoption of updated technical requirements.
  • Applying the Energy Code to renovated nonresidential buildings could increase compliance obligations and costs for some renovation projects while advancing energy‑efficiency goals.
  • Clarified petition, TAG, and Council procedures may change stakeholder access and the pace of code revisions.

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

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