Buys to serve on State Building Code Council
Rep. Vincent Buys has been appointed to the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) by Washington State House Speaker Frank Chopp. Buys says the appointment couldn't be more fitting.
“I started my own construction company and I am currently licensed as an independent contractor. I am well versed in the issues the council will be reviewing and taking into consideration,” said Buys, R-Lynden. “I feel I can contribute right away. My first legislative session was a real eye-opener when it came to business regulations, particularly when it came to some of the things the majority party looked at doing to independent contractors.”
The council provides independent analysis and objective advice to the Legislature and governor's office on state building code issues. It also establishes minimum requirements for building, mechanical, fire, plumbing and energy codes necessary to promote the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state of Washington, by reviewing, developing and adopting the state building code.
“I am pleased to be part of this council, but at the same time, I feel there is a sense of urgency. Washington's construction industry and housing market are struggling and I don't see things changing in the near future. We need to find solutions that will allow our building industry to get back on track,” said Buys.
The council has come under fire in the last couple years by Republican lawmakers for mandating new energy code standards that increased the price of homes. Buys added his background allows him to provide the council a firsthand account of what their actions mean to contractors, the building industry and the trickledown effect on consumers.
We have a high unemployment rate and the construction industry has lost a substantial amount of jobs since the economic downturn. Costly mandates and more regulations are not what we need,” Buys said. “I want the council to address the challenges facing our employers and provide incentives instead of mandates. A fair, balanced building code could get our construction and housing market going again. Until it does, our state revenues will continue to trickle in below expectations. Lagging revenues hurt everyone.”
The SBCC recently met to consider suspending some energy code requirements because they imposed unreasonable and excessive cost, but did not require any reduction in energy use or energy savings.
