HB264 Alabama 2010 Session

Currently, the Alabama Residential Energy Code Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Science, Technology, and Energy Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

Currently, local units of government are encouraged to adopt the Model Energy Code. This bill would replace the Model Energy Code with the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes (codes), and require the board, as the sole authority, to adopt, amend, and revise the codes and to comply with federal energy and building guidelines. Farm structures would be exempt from the codes requirements. Additional members would be added to the board and board service would be limited to 10 consecutive years. Board membership would be inclusive and represent diversity, and board meetings would be subject to the Alabama Open Meetings Act

To amend Sections 41-23-80, 41-23-81, 41-23-82,41-23-83, 41-23-84, and 41-23-85, Code of Alabama 1975,relating to the Model Energy Code and the advisory role of theAlabama Residential Energy Code Board; to require the adoptionof the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes by the AlabamaResidential and Energy Codes Board in compliance with certainfederal energy and building requirements; to expand the boardmembership and provide further for diversity, membership,service, and meetings of the board; to provide an exclusionfor farm structures; to prohibit state or local entities fromamending federally required codes or from adopting ordinances,policies, or codes that would require the installation ofsprinkler systems in certain family dwellings; and to preservea consumer's ability to install sprinkler systems in certainfamily dwellings.