House passes Rep. Cruz’s bill to reform State Building Code Office
Bill is part of Speaker Shekarchi’s 2024 legislative package addressing the housing crisis in Rhode Island
STATE HOUSE – The House today approved legislation (2024-H 7983Aaa) sponsored by Rep. Cherie L. Cruz that would codify the existing structure of the State Building Code Office, and also clarifies the role of the State Building Code Commissioner. The bill is part of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) 15-bill package of legislation to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis.
“For too long, much-needed housing production has been stifled due to complex levels of state and municipal red tape, often resulting from varying and different building code rules across our cities and towns. This bill will simplify and centralize building code issues and further promote safety, which will in turn make housing production easier and more uniform. The housing crisis is significantly hurting our residents and this legislation is a good step toward building the housing that our state desperately needs,” said Representative Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket).
The legislation modifies statutory language to ensure a uniform interpretation and enforcement of the building code statewide. It also would establish a building code education and training unit with input from the RI League of Cities and Towns to educate building officials and inspectors statewide.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
