Public Law No. 21-14

 THE SENATE

TWENTIETH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE

SENATE BILL. NO. 21-03, SD1, HDI

AN ACT

To repeal and re-enact 2 CMC § 7142 and § 7145, relative to adopting the International Building Code as the official building code of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and for other purposes.

SENATE ACTION

Offered by Senator(s): Sixto K. Igisomar

Date: January 30, 2019

Referred to: Committee on Judiciary, Government, Law and Federal Relations

Standing Committee Report No.: 21-14 adopted on 7/18119

First and Final Reading: July 18, 2019-5D1 and accepted HD1 on 11106/19

HOUSE ACTION

Referred to: Committee judiciary and Governmental Operations Standing Committee Report No.: 21-37 - Adopted 10/15119 First and Final Reading: October 15, 2019

Public Law No. 21-14

THE SENATE

TWENTY-FIRST NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE

FIRST REGULAR SESSION, 2019                                                                     S. B. NO.   21-03, SD1, HD1

AN ACT

To repeal and re-enact 2 CMC § 7142 and §  7145,  relative  to  adopting the International Building Code as the official building code of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and for  other  purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE TWENTY-FIRST NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE:

1                  Section   1.  Findings and  Purpose. The Legislature finds that, nationally, building

2      codes are updated in three (3) year cycles. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana

3      Islands is currently using a version of the building code that is based on the 2009 International

4       Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), as adopted by regulation. The Legislature finds it is

5      critical for the proper development of local infrastructure to ensure the building code remains

6      up to date with national standards. It is the intent of the Legislature, therefore, to adopt the

7      International Building Code as the official building code of the Commonwealth of the

8      Northern  Mariana   Islands,   to make  the      2018 edition the current version applied in the

9      Commonwealth and to direct the Building Safety Official to adopt relevant appendices, and

10      updates to, or new editions of this Code, and exclude non-applicable sections, as needed.

11                   Section  2. Repealer. The following provisions are hereby repealed: 

12                        "2 CMC §§ 7114, 7115; 2 CMC §§ 7125, 7143 and 7144(b)."

13                  Section   3. Repealer and Reenactment. 2 CMC § 7142 is hereby repealed and re-

14                       enacted to read as follows:

15                      "§7142. 1nternational Building Code Adopted.

16                      (a) The International Building Code (IBC) as published by the International

Public Law No. 21-14

SENATE BILL NO.                                  HDl

1                            Code Council, is hereby adopted and enacted as the building code for the

2                            Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, commencing with the 2018 Edition of

3                            the IBC, including Appendices C, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and M. The IBC shall be

4                            recognized as the standard for the furtherance of the intent of Division 7, Chapter 1 of

5                            this Title, the Building Safety Code, which is to secure and promote the safety, health

6                            and general welfare of the people of the Northern Marianas by providing standards for

7                            the location, design, material, construction, enlargement, maintenance, use, occupancy,

8                            and moving of buildings and structures in the Commonwealth, and which is dedicated

9                            to the development of better building construction and greater safety for the citizens

10                            and residents of the Commonwealth of  the Northern  Mariana Islands.

11                               (b) The Building Safety Official  may adopt  by regulation  updates  to, and new

12                   editions of, the International Building Code pursuant to the Administrative Procedures

13                  Act. The Building Safety Division shall publish notice of each such update or new 

14                  edition in accordance with I CMC § 9104(a)."

15                  Section  4. Repealer and Reenactment. 2 CMC § 7145 is hereby repealed and re-

16      enacted to read as follows:

17                               "§714S. Precedence of Commonwealth Building Safety Code.

18                              (a) Where conflicts or contradictions exist between provisions of the Building

19                  Safety Code or regulations issued hereunder and the International Building Code, the

20                  Commonwealth regulations or Building Safety Code shall apply.

21                               (b) Reference in the International Building Code to the "Building Official" shall

22                  be taken to mean the Building Safety Official of the Department of Public Works, as

23                   established herein.

24                               (c) No fees or inspections, nor any certificate of approval, or occupancy

25                   required by the International Building Code shall be required in the Commonwealth

26                  unless such requirement is specifically adopted by regulation."

27                  Section S. Public Notice to be Given. Following enactment into law of this Act, the

28      Building Safety Division is hereby directed to publish in a newspaper of general circulation the

29      adoption and effective date of the International Building Code as the new building code of the Page 2