NEW ACT
Act 1 of 2011 (HB 377): Signed: April 25, 2011
Major provisions:
* Amends the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (Act 45 of 1999) to exclude the automatic fire sprinkler requirements in the 2009 ICC International Residential Code from the UCC.
* Requires builders to explain the costs and benefits of installing automatic sprinkler systems to all homeowners.
* Includes additional specifications for fire-resistant flooring in structures without sprinklers.
* Requires the UCC Review and Advisory Committee to review all triennial ICC codes revisions and determine their impacts on public health, safety, welfare, as well as their economic impacts and technical feasibility.
* All triennial code adoptions will require a two-thirds vote of RAC members beginning in 2012 before they become part of the UCC.
* Permits log walls with a minimum average wall thickness of five inches or greater, which comply with the ICC Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures, ICC 400-2007, in residential buildings if they meet certain standards.
Effective date: April 25, 2011.
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FUTURE TOWNSHIP-RELATED LEGISLATION:
(Click on the links to read the actual co-sponsorship memos)
– Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia) will soon introduce legislation to require the placement of carbon monoxide detectors in private residences.
– Rep. Deborah Kula (D-Fayette) will soon introduce legislation to allow the assessment of oil and gas for taxation purposes.
– Rep. Michael O’Brien (D-Philadelphia) will soon introduce legislation to allow the state Bureau of Liquor Enforcement to immediately suspend liquor licenses under certain conditions.
– Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Philadelphia) will soon introduce legislation to add natural gas responders to the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act.
– Rep. Tim Krieger (R-Westmoreland) will soon introduce legislation to clarify current gun-carrying laws to allow the transportation of firearms for lawful purposes as long as they are unloaded.
– Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) will soon introduce legislation to change the fiscal year for school districts to begin on January 1.
