HF 831

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/03/2022 06:33pm

A bill for an act
relating to the State Building Code; modifying how the energy code for new
commercial buildings is adopted; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section
326B.106, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326B.106, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Adoption of code.

(a) Subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) and sections
326B.101 to 326B.194, the commissioner shall by rule and in consultation with the
Construction Codes Advisory Council establish a code of standards for the construction,
reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings, governing matters of structural materials,
design and construction, fire protection, health, sanitation, and safety, including design and
construction standards regarding heat loss control, illumination, and climate control. The
code must also include duties and responsibilities for code administration, including
procedures for administrative action, penalties, and suspension and revocation of certification.
The code must conform insofar as practicable to model building codes generally accepted
and in use throughout the United States, including a code for building conservation. In the
preparation of the code, consideration must be given to the existing statewide specialty
codes presently in use in the state. Model codes with necessary modifications and statewide
specialty codes may be adopted by reference. The code must be based on the application
of scientific principles, approved tests, and professional judgment. To the extent possible,
the code must be adopted in terms of desired results instead of the means of achieving those
results, avoiding wherever possible the incorporation of specifications of particular methods
or materials. To that end the code must encourage the use of new methods and new materials.
Except as otherwise provided in sections 326B.101 to 326B.194, the commissioner shall
administer and enforce the provisions of those sections.

(b) The commissioner shall develop rules addressing the plan review fee assessed to
similar buildings without significant modifications including provisions for use of building
systems as specified in the industrial/modular program specified in section 326B.194.
Additional plan review fees associated with similar plans must be based on costs
commensurate with the direct and indirect costs of the service.

(c) Beginning with the 2018 edition of the model building codes and every six years
thereafter, the commissioner shall review the new model building codes and adopt the model
codes as amended for use in Minnesota, within two years of the published edition date. The
commissioner may adopt amendments to the building codes prior to the adoption of the
new building codes to advance construction methods, technology, or materials, or, where
necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, or to improve the efficiency
or the use of a building.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), the commissioner shall act on each new model
residential energy code and the new model commercial energy code in accordance with
federal law for which the United States Department of Energy has issued an affirmative
determination in compliance with United States Code, title 42, section 6833. new text begin Beginning in
2022, the commissioner shall act on the new model commercial energy code by adopting
each new published edition of ASHRAE 90.1 or a more efficient standard, and amending
it as necessary to achieve a minimum of eight percent energy efficiency with each edition,
as measured against energy consumption by an average building in each applicable building
sector in 2003. These amendments must achieve a net zero energy standard for new
commercial buildings by 2036 and thereafter. new text end The commissioner may adopt amendments
prior to adoption of the new energy codes, as amended for use in Minnesota, to advance
construction methods, technology, or materials, or, where necessary to protect the health,
safety, and welfare of the public, or to improve the efficiency or use of a building.