(2)__An architect practicing in the State whose practice involves a significant portion of rehabilitation projects;

(3)__A professional engineer;

(4)__A contractor specializing in rehabilitation construction;

(5)__Two representatives of municipal government;

(6)__A commercial or industrial building owner or developer;

(7)__A multifamily building owner or developer;

(8)__A local fire official; and

(9)__A local building code official.

From among the members of the council, a chair must be designated by a vote of the members.

2.__Duties.__The council shall:

A.__Advise the State Planning Office on the development, adoption and revisions to the code;

B.__Provide technical advice on the interpretation of the code to property owners, design professionals, contractors, local jurisdiction code officials and local jurisdiction code appeal boards;

C.__To the extent possible, develop the code to avoid increased costs to local jurisdictions arising from implementation of the code;

D.__To the extent provided in the state budget, ensure that training on the code is provided to code enforcement officials and other public and private construction-related professionals; and

E.__In cooperation with the Executive Department, State Planning Office, review the code and adopt any necessary or desirable revisions at least every 3 years beginning with the year 2004.

3.__Terms.__The terms of the initial appointed members of the council expire as follows:

A.__Three members in 2002;

B.__Three members in 2003;

C.__Three members in 2004; and

D.__Two members in 2005.

The members' terms must be determined by lot.__After the initial term, members serve for 3-year terms.__A vacancy on the board must be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment is made.

4.__Compensation.__The members of the council are entitled to compensation in accordance with section 12004-I.__Agency representatives on the council are entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their council duties by the appointing agencies in accordance with the provisions for state employees.

5.__Staff.__The council is staffed by the Executive Department, State Planning Office.

§3348.__Local authority

A local jurisdiction may adopt local amendments to the code that apply only to the local jurisdiction.__A local jurisdiction amending the code shall furnish a copy of the amendment to the council.__Any local amendments must be consistent with existing rules and laws enforced by the Department of Public Safety.

§3349.__Incentives for adopting code

All local jurisdictions that adopt the code are eligible for certain state incentives.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§6-G is enacted to read:

6-G. Maine Expenses 5 MRSA

Economic Building Only §3347

Development Rehabilitation

Code Advisory

Council

Sec. 3. Rulemaking. The Executive Department, State Planning Office shall adopt major substantive rules on or before December 31, 2001, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A, in order to establish the Maine Building Rehabilitation Code established in Title 5, section 3346.

SUMMARY

This bill creates the Maine Building Rehabilitation Code. The bill also establishes the Maine Building Rehabilitation Code Advisory Council.