1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to the State Building Code; regulating the application and enforcement 
1.3 	of the State Building Code; modifying continuing education course content for 
1.4 	residential contractors and remodelers; requiring commercial general liability 
1.5 	insurance for licensees; authorizing Duluth Entertainment and Convention 
1.6 	Center Authority to enter contract for construction work on entertainment 
1.7 	and convention center;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 16B.616, 
1.8 	subdivision 4; 16B.62; 16B.71; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 
1.9 	16B.61, subdivision 3; 16B.735; 326.87, subdivision 5; 326.94, subdivision 2; 
1.10 	repealing Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 16B.72; 16B.73.
1.11 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.12 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 16B.61, subdivision 3, is 
1.13 	amended to read:
1.14 		Subd. 3.Special requirements. (a) Space for commuter vans. The code must 
1.15 	require that any parking ramp or other parking facility constructed in accordance with the 
1.16 	code include an appropriate number of spaces suitable for the parking of motor vehicles 
1.17 	having a capacity of seven to 16 persons and which are principally used to provide 
1.18 	prearranged commuter transportation of employees to or from their place of employment 
1.19 	or to or from a transit stop authorized by a local transit authority. 
1.20 	(b)  Smoke detection devices. The code must require that all dwellings, lodging 
1.21 	houses, apartment houses, and hotels as defined in section 299F.362 comply with the 
1.22 	provisions of section 299F.362. 
1.23 	(c)  Doors in nursing homes and hospitals. The State Building Code may not 
1.24 	require that each door entering a sleeping or patient's room from a corridor in a nursing 
1.25 	home or hospital with an approved complete standard automatic fire extinguishing system 
1.26 	be constructed or maintained as self-closing or automatically closing. 
2.1 	(d)  Child care facilities in churches; ground level exit. A licensed day care center 
2.2 	serving fewer than 30 preschool age persons and which is located in a belowground space 
2.3 	in a church building is exempt from the State Building Code requirement for a ground 
2.4 	level exit when the center has more than two stairways to the ground level and its exit. 
2.5 	(e) Family and group family day care. Until the legislature enacts legislation 
2.6 	specifying appropriate standards, the definition of dwellings constructed in accordance 
2.7 	with the International Residential Code as adopted as part of the State Building Code 
2.8 	applies to family and group family day care homes licensed by the Department of Human 
2.9 	Services under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502. 
2.10 	(f) Enclosed stairways. No provision of the code or any appendix chapter of the 
2.11 	code may require stairways of existing multiple dwelling buildings of two stories or 
2.12 	less to be enclosed. 
2.13 	(g) Double cylinder dead bolt locks. No provision of the code or appendix chapter 
2.14 	of the code may prohibit double cylinder dead bolt locks in existing single-family homes, 
2.15 	townhouses, and first floor duplexes used exclusively as a residential dwelling. Any 
2.16 	recommendation or promotion of double cylinder dead bolt locks must include a warning 
2.17 	about their potential fire danger and procedures to minimize the danger. 
2.18 	(h) Relocated residential buildings. A residential building relocated within or 
2.19 	into a political subdivision of the state need not comply with the State Energy Code or 
2.20 	section 326.371 provided that, where available, an energy audit is conducted on the 
2.21 	relocated building. 
2.22 	(i) Automatic garage door opening systems. The code must require all residential 
2.23 	buildings as defined in section 325F.82 to comply with the provisions of sections 325F.82
2.24 	and 325F.83. 
2.25 	(j) Exit sign illumination. For a new building on which construction is begun 
2.26 	on or after October 1, 1993, or an existing building on which remodeling affecting 50 
2.27 	percent or more of the enclosed space is begun on or after October 1, 1993, the code must 
2.28 	prohibit the use of internally illuminated exit signs whose electrical consumption during 
2.29 	nonemergency operation exceeds 20 watts of resistive power. All other requirements in 
2.30 	the code for exit signs must be complied with. 
2.31 	(k) Exterior wood decks, patios, and balconies. The code must permit the decking 
2.32 	surface and upper portions of exterior wood decks, patios, and balconies to be constructed 
2.33 	of (1) heartwood from species of wood having natural resistance to decay or termites, 
2.34 	including redwood and cedars, (2) grades of lumber which contain sapwood from species 
2.35 	of wood having natural resistance to decay or termites, including redwood and cedars, or 
2.36 	(3) treated wood. The species and grades of wood products used to construct the decking 
3.1 	surface and upper portions of exterior decks, patios, and balconies must be made available 
3.2 	to the building official on request before final construction approval. 
3.3 	(l) Bioprocess piping and equipment. No permit fee for bioprocess piping may be 
3.4 	imposed by municipalities under the State Building Code, except as required under section 
3.5 	326.47, subdivision 1. Permits for bioprocess piping shall be according to section 326.47
3.6 	administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. All data regarding the material 
3.7 	production processes, including the bioprocess system's structural design and layout, are 
3.8 	nonpublic data as provided by section 13.7911.
3.9 	(m) Use of ungraded lumber. The code must allow the use of ungraded lumber in 
3.10 	geographic areas of the state where the code did not generally apply as of April 1, 2008, to 
3.11 	the same extent that ungraded lumber could be used in that area before April 1, 2008.

3.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment 
3.13 	and the use of ungraded lumber is allowed under paragraph (m) on and after that date 
3.14 	regardless of whether the code is amended to conform with paragraph (m).

3.15 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.616, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
3.16 		Subd. 4.Enforcement. (a) A statutory or home rule charter city that is not covered 
3.17 	by the code because of action taken under section 16B.72 or 16B.73does not have in 
3.18 	effect an ordinance adopting the State Building Code is responsible for enforcement in the 
3.19 	city of the code's requirements for bleacher safety. In all other areas where the code does 
3.20 	not apply because of action taken under section 16B.72 or 16B.73 there is no ordinance 
3.21 	in effect adopting the State Building Code, the county is responsible for enforcement of 
3.22 	thosethe code's requirements for bleacher safety. 
3.23 	(b) Municipalities that have not adopted the code may enforce the code requirements 
3.24 	for bleacher safety by either entering into a joint powers agreement for enforcement 
3.25 	with another municipality that has adopted the code or contracting for enforcement with 
3.26 	a qualified and certified building official or state licensed design professional to enforce 
3.27 	the code.
3.28 	(c) Municipalities, school districts, organizations, individuals, and other persons 
3.29 	operating or owning places of public accommodation with bleachers that are subject to the 
3.30 	safety requirements in subdivision 3 shall provide a signed certification of compliance 
3.31 	to the commissioner by January 1, 2002. For bleachers subject to the exception in 
3.32 	subdivision 3, clause (1), entities covered by this paragraph must have on file a bleacher 
3.33 	safety management plan and amortization schedule. The certification shall be prepared by 
3.34 	a qualified and certified building official or state licensed design professional and shall 
3.35 	certify that the bleachers have been inspected and are in compliance with the requirements 
4.1 	of this section and are structurally sound. For bleachers owned by a school district or 
4.2 	nonpublic school, the person the district or nonpublic school designates to be responsible 
4.3 	for buildings and grounds may make the certification.

4.4 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.62, is amended to read:
4.5 	16B.62 STATE BUILDING CODE; APPLICATION AND ENFORCEMENT.
4.6 		Subdivision 1.Municipal enforcement. The State Building Code applies statewide 
4.7 	and supersedes the building code of any municipality. A municipality must not by 
4.8 	ordinance or through development agreement require building code provisions regulating 
4.9 	components or systems of any residential structure that are different from any provision 
4.10 	of the State Building Code. A municipality may, with the approval of the state building 
4.11 	official, adopt an ordinance that is more restrictive than the State Building Code where 
4.12 	geological conditions warrant a more restrictive ordinance. A municipality may appeal 
4.13 	the disapproval of a more restrictive ordinance to the commissioner. An appeal under 
4.14 	this subdivision is subject to the schedule, fee, procedures, cost provisions, and appeal 
4.15 	rights set out in section 16B.67. The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural 
4.16 	buildings except with respect to state inspections required or rulemaking authorized 
4.17 	by sections 103F.141, 216C.19, subdivision 8, and 326.244. All municipalities shall 
4.18 	adopt and enforce the State Building Code with respect to new construction within their 
4.19 	respective jurisdictions. 
4.20 	If a city has adopted or is enforcing the State Building Code on June 3, 1977, or 
4.21 	determines by ordinance after that date to undertake enforcement, it shall enforce the 
4.22 	code within the city. A city may by ordinance and with permission of the township 
4.23 	board extend the enforcement of the code to contiguous unincorporated territory not 
4.24 	more than two miles distant from its corporate limits in any direction if the code is not 
4.25 	in effect in the territory. Where two or more noncontiguous cities which have elected to 
4.26 	enforce the code have boundaries less than four miles apart, each is authorized to enforce 
4.27 	the code on its side of a line equidistant between them. Once enforcement authority is 
4.28 	extended extraterritorially by ordinance, the authority may continue to be exercised in the 
4.29 	designated territory even though another city less than four miles distant later elects to 
4.30 	enforce the code. After the extension, the city may enforce the code in the designated area 
4.31 	to the same extent as if the property were situated within its corporate limits.
4.32 	Enforcement of the code in an extended area outside a city's corporate limits includes 
4.33 	all rules, laws, and ordinances associated with administration of the code.
4.34 	A city which, on June 3, 1977, had not adopted the code may not commence 
4.35 	enforcement of the code within or outside of its jurisdiction until it has provided written 
5.1 	notice to the commissioner, the county auditor, and the town clerk of each town in which 
5.2 	it intends to enforce the code. A public hearing on the proposed enforcement must be 
5.3 	held not less than 30 days after the notice has been provided. Enforcement of the code 
5.4 	by the city outside of its jurisdiction commences on the first day of January in the year 
5.5 	following the notice and hearing.
5.6 	Municipalities may provide for the issuance of permits, inspection, and enforcement 
5.7 	within their jurisdictions by means which are convenient, and lawful, including by means 
5.8 	of contracts with other municipalities pursuant to section 471.59, and with qualified 
5.9 	individuals. The other municipalities or qualified individuals may be reimbursed by 
5.10 	retention or remission of some or all of the building permit fee collected or by other means. 
5.11 	In areas of the state where inspection and enforcement is unavailable from qualified 
5.12 	employees of municipalities, the commissioner shall train and designate individuals 
5.13 	available to carry out inspection and enforcement on a fee basis. Nothing in this section 
5.14 	prohibits a municipality from adopting ordinances relating to zoning, subdivision, or 
5.15 	planning unless the ordinance conflicts with a provision of the State Building Code that 
5.16 	regulates components or systems of any residential structure. 
5.17 		Subd. 1a.Application. The State Building Code is the standard that applies 
5.18 	statewide for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair of buildings and other 
5.19 	structures of the type governed by the code. The State Building Code supersedes the 
5.20 	building code of any municipality. The State Building Code does not apply to agricultural 
5.21 	buildings except with respect to state inspections required or rulemaking authorized by 
5.22 	sections 103F.141; 216C.19, subdivision 9; and 326.244.
5.23 		Subd. 1b.Municipal enforcement. (a) If, as of January 1, 2008, a municipality 
5.24 	has in effect an ordinance adopting the State Building Code, that municipality must 
5.25 	continue to administer and enforce the State Building Code within its jurisdiction. The 
5.26 	municipality is prohibited from repealing its ordinance adopting the State Building Code. 
5.27 	This paragraph does not apply to municipalities with a population of less than 2,500 
5.28 	according to the last federal census that are located outside of a metropolitan county, as 
5.29 	defined in section 473.121, subdivision 4.
5.30 	(b) If a municipality is not required by paragraph (a) to administer and enforce the 
5.31 	State Building Code, the municipality may choose to administer and enforce the State 
5.32 	Building Code within its jurisdiction by adopting the code by ordinance.
5.33 	(c) A municipality must not by ordinance, or through development agreement, 
5.34 	require building code provisions regulating components or systems of any structure that 
5.35 	are different from any provision of the State Building Code. A municipality may, with 
5.36 	the approval of the state building official, adopt an ordinance that is more restrictive 
6.1 	than the State Building Code where geological conditions warrant a more restrictive 
6.2 	ordinance. A municipality may appeal the disapproval of a more restrictive ordinance 
6.3 	to the commissioner. An appeal under this subdivision is subject to the schedule, fee, 
6.4 	procedures, cost provisions, and appeal rights set out in section 16B.67.
6.5 	(d) A city may by ordinance and with permission of the township board extend the 
6.6 	administration and enforcement of the code to contiguous unincorporated territory not 
6.7 	more than two miles distant from its corporate limits in any direction if the code is not 
6.8 	already administered and enforced in the territory. Where two or more noncontiguous 
6.9 	cities, which have elected to administer and enforce the code, have boundaries less than 
6.10 	four miles apart, each is authorized to enforce the code on its side of a line equidistant 
6.11 	between them. Once enforcement authority is extended extraterritorially by ordinance, the 
6.12 	authority may continue to be exercised in the designated territory even though another 
6.13 	city less than four miles distant later elects to enforce the code. After the extension, the 
6.14 	city may enforce the code in the designated area to the same extent as if the property 
6.15 	were situated within its corporate limits. Enforcement of the code in an extended area 
6.16 	outside a city's corporate limits includes all rules, laws, and ordinances associated with 
6.17 	administration of the code.
6.18 	(e) A city cannot commence administration and enforcement of the code outside of 
6.19 	its jurisdiction until it has provided written notice to the commissioner, the county auditor, 
6.20 	and the town clerk of each town in which it intends to administer and enforce the code. A 
6.21 	public hearing on the proposed administration and enforcement must be held not less than 
6.22 	30 days after the notice has been provided. Administration and enforcement of the code 
6.23 	by the city outside of its jurisdiction commences on a date determined by the city that is 
6.24 	no less than 90 days nor more than one year after the public hearing.
6.25 	(f) A municipality may enforce the State Building Code by any means that are 
6.26 	convenient and lawful, including entering into contracts with other municipalities under 
6.27 	section 471.59 and with qualified individuals. The other municipalities or qualified 
6.28 	individuals may be reimbursed by retention or remission of some or all of the building 
6.29 	permit fee collected or by other means. If a municipality has no qualified employees 
6.30 	of the municipality or other municipalities or qualified individuals available to carry 
6.31 	out inspection and enforcement, the commissioner shall train and designate individuals 
6.32 	available to carry out inspection and enforcement. The commissioner may be reimbursed 
6.33 	for the inspection by retention or remission of some or all of the building permit fee 
6.34 	collected or by other means.
7.1 	(g) Nothing in this subdivision prohibits a municipality from adopting ordinances 
7.2 	relating to zoning, subdivision, or planning unless the ordinance conflicts with a provision 
7.3 	of the State Building Code that regulates components or systems of any structure.
7.4 		Subd. 2.Enforcement by state building official. If the commissioner determines 
7.5 	that a municipality that has adopted the State Building Code  is not properly administering 
7.6 	and enforcing the State Building Code as provided in section 16B.71 code, or if the 
7.7 	commissioner determines that any municipality that is required by subdivision 1b 
7.8 	to enforce any provision of the State Building Code is not properly enforcing that 
7.9 	provision, the commissioner may have the administration and enforcement in the involved 
7.10 	municipality undertaken by the state building official or by another building official 
7.11 	certified by the state. The commissioner shall notify the affected municipality in writing 
7.12 	immediately upon making the determination, and the municipality may challenge the 
7.13 	determination as a contested case before the commissioner pursuant to the Administrative 
7.14 	Procedure Act. In municipalities not properly administering and enforcing the State 
7.15 	Building Code, and in municipalities who determine not to administer and enforce the 
7.16 	State Building Code, the commissioner shall have administration and enforcement 
7.17 	undertaken by the state building official or by another inspector certified by the state. In 
7.18 	carrying out administration and enforcement under this subdivision, the commissioner 
7.19 	shall apply any optional provision of the State Building Code adopted by the municipality. 
7.20 	A municipality adopting any optional code provision shall notify the state building official 
7.21 	within 30 days of its adoption. The commissioner shall determine appropriate fees to be 
7.22 	charged for the administration and enforcement service rendered. Any cost to the state 
7.23 	arising from the state administration and enforcement of the State Building Code shall be 
7.24 	borne by the subject municipality where a fee has been collected by the municipality. 

7.25 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 16B.71, is amended to read:
7.26 	16B.71 PERMIT FEES, TO WHOM APPLICABLE.
7.27 	Municipal building officialsIf a municipality is enforcing the State Building Code, 
7.28 	the municipality's building official shall administer and enforce the State Building 
7.29 	Code with respect to all subject structures constructed within theirthe municipality's 
7.30 	jurisdiction, including all buildings constructed by municipalities other than the state, 
7.31 	as defined in section 16B.60, and the University of Minnesota. These governmental 
7.32 	bodies shall pay the building permit fees and surcharges that the inspecting municipality 
7.33 	customarily imposes for its administration and enforcement of the code. 

8.1 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 16B.735, is amended to read:
8.2 	16B.735 ENFORCEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR DISABLED 
8.3 	PERSONS  WITH DISABILITIES.
8.4 	A statutory or home rule charter city that is not covered bydoes not have in effect 
8.5 	an ordinance adopting the State Building Code because of action taken under section 
8.6 	16B.72 or 16B.73 is responsible for enforcement in the city of the State Building Code's 
8.7 	requirements for disabled persons with disabilities. In all other areas where there is no 
8.8 	ordinance in effect adopting the State Building Code does not apply because of action 
8.9 	taken under section 16B.72 or 16B.73, the county is responsible for enforcement of those
8.10 	the State Building Code's requirements for disabled persons. 

8.11 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 326.87, subdivision 5, is 
8.12 	amended to read:
8.13 		Subd. 5.Content. (a) Continuing education consists of approved courses that 
8.14 	impart appropriate and related knowledge in the regulated industries pursuant to sections 
8.15 	326.83 to 326.98. Courses may include relevant materials that are included in licensing 
8.16 	exams subject to the limitations imposed in paragraph (e). The burden of demonstrating 
8.17 	that courses impart appropriate and related knowledge is upon the person seeking approval 
8.18 	or credit.
8.19 	(b) Course examinations will not be required for continuing education courses 
8.20 	unless they are required by the sponsor.
8.21 	(c) Textbooks are not required to be used for continuing education courses. If 
8.22 	textbooks are not used, the coordinator must provide students with a syllabus containing, 
8.23 	at a minimum, the course title, the times and dates of the course offering, the names and 
8.24 	addresses or telephone numbers of the course coordinator and instructor, and a detailed 
8.25 	outline of the subject materials to be covered. Any written or printed material given to 
8.26 	students must be of readable quality and contain accurate and current information.
8.27 	(d) Upon completion of an approved course, licensees shall earn one hour of 
8.28 	continuing education credit for each hour approved by the commissioner. Each continuing 
8.29 	education course must be attended in its entirety in order to receive credit for the number 
8.30 	of approved hours. Courses may be approved for full or partial credit, and for more than 
8.31 	one regulated industry.
8.32 	Continuing education credit in an approved course shall be awarded to presenting 
8.33 	instructors on the basis of one credit for each hour of preparation for the initial presentation, 
8.34 	which may not exceed three hours total credit for each approved course. Continuing 
9.1 	education credit may not be earned if the licensee has previously obtained credit for the 
9.2 	same course as a licensee or as an instructor within the three years immediately prior.
9.3 	(e) The following courses will not be approved for credit:
9.4 	(1) courses designed solely to prepare students for a license examination;
9.5 	(2) courses in mechanical office or business skills, including typing, speed reading, 
9.6 	or other machines or equipment. Computer courses are allowed, if appropriate and related 
9.7 	to the regulated industry of the licensee;
9.8 	(3) courses in sales promotion, including meetings held in conjunction with the 
9.9 	general business of the licensee;
9.10 	(4) courses in motivation, salesmanship, psychology, time management, or 
9.11 	communication; or
9.12 	(5) courses that are primarily intended to impart knowledge of specific products of 
9.13 	specific companies, if the use of the product or products relates to the sales promotion or 
9.14 	marketing of one or more of the products discussed.

9.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2008.

9.16 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 326.94, subdivision 2, is 
9.17 	amended to read:
9.18 		Subd. 2.Insurance. Licensees must have public liability insurance with limits of 
9.19 	at least $300,000 per occurrence, which must include at least $10,000 property damage 
9.20 	coverage. Each licensee shall have and maintain in effect commercial general liability 
9.21 	insurance, which includes premises and operations insurance and products and completed 
9.22 	operations insurance, with limits of at least $100,000 per occurrence, $300,000 aggregate 
9.23 	limit for bodily injury, and property damage insurance with limits of at least $25,000 
9.24 	or a policy with a single limit for bodily injury and property damage of $300,000 per 
9.25 	occurrence and $300,000 aggregate limits. The insurance must be written by an insurer 
9.26 	licensed to do business in this state. Each licensee shall maintain on file with the 
9.27 	commissioner a certificate evidencing the insurance which provides that the insurance 
9.28 	shall not be canceled without the insurer first giving 15 days' written notice of cancellation 
9.29 	to the commissioner. The commissioner may increase the minimum amount of insurance 
9.30 	required for any licensee or class of licensees if the commissioner considers it to be in the 
9.31 	public interest and necessary to protect the interests of Minnesota consumers.

9.32 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2008.

10.1 	Sec. 8. DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTER 
10.2 	AUTHORITY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT.
 10.3 	The Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority may enter into 
10.4 	contracts to design, construct, furnish, equip, and improve the Duluth Entertainment and 
10.5 	Convention Center, including a new arena, and may enter into contracts that are, in its 
10.6 	judgment, in the best interests of the public for these purposes. Notwithstanding any law 
10.7 	to the contrary, the authority may adopt a fair and competitive design and construction 
10.8 	procurement process determined by the authority to be in the public interest for the 
10.9 	Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center improvements. The authority may enter 
10.10 	into a contract that provides for a construction manager at-risk. This contracting authority 
10.11 	applies only to the capital improvements and renovations for which appropriations were 
10.12 	made pursuant to Laws 2008, chapter 179, section 21, subdivision 7.

10.13 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

10.14 	Sec. 9.  REPEALER.
 10.15 	Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 16B.72; and 16B.73, are repealed.