Senate Bill 228, which moves the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council (LSUCCC) from the supervision of the fire marshal to the State Licensing Board of Contractors and alters the council’s composition, was amended and advanced favorably by the Senate Commerce Committee April 30.

Sponsor Senator Abraham said the council’s core functions are to set building codes and monitor inspections, and the bill transfers those responsibilities to the contractors board. The sponsor presented an amendment set that reduced the council’s membership from 20 to 17 and specified seats that include the fire marshal or designee; building code enforcement officers; licensed professionals (electrician/plumber, mechanical engineer, structural engineer, licensed architects); representatives of industry groups (Louisiana Home Builders Association, Associated Builders and Contractors, Louisiana Building Code Alliance); licensed residential and commercial contractors; an insurance-industry member; a representative of the Building Officials Association of Louisiana; and two at-large members.

Committee members questioned technical language changes and reimbursement provisions in the amendments. The sponsor said one amendment changes reimbursement from a mandatory “shall” to discretionary “may” to avoid obligating excessive payments for member expenses, and explained that the contractors board would house the council temporarily and that funding issues would be addressed in subsequent sessions. Committee members asked clarifying questions about executive-director authority and oversight; the sponsor said spending authority would be curtailed and approvals would still come from the licensing board that holds the funds.

The committee adopted the sponsor’s amendment set and moved the bill favorably; the transcript records industry support from several roofing and construction groups and no recorded opposition.