Amendment #994 to H3800

Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative Building Code Commission

Representatives Keefe of Worcester, Ashe of Longmeadow, Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, Hawkins of Attleboro, O'Connell of Taunton, Robinson of Framingham, Vega of Holyoke, Williams of Springfield, Gouveia of Acton, Fiola of Fall River and Miranda of Boston move to amend the bill by adding the following section:  "SECTION XX. There shall be a commission to study strategies to improve the quality of the housing stock in weak markets with the goal of making these properties safer, more accessible to residents with disabilities, and more resilient to climate change. The commission’s review shall include, but not be limited to---the use of guidance documents to consistently grant relief from building codes in common circumstances where appropriate; provisions to reduce the time and cost associated with obtaining variances in circumstances that are consistent with these guidance documents; dissemination of creative strategies to use new technologies to address common challenges bringing older structures up to code; the deployment of energy efficiency programs, Home Modifications Grants, elevator and sprinkler funds, and other resources to help building rehab projects in weak markets meet health and safety standards.

The commission shall consist of: 2 members of the Senate, 1 of whom shall represent a Gateway Municipality as defined in section 3A of chapter 23A of the General Laws and shall serve as co-chair; 2 members of the House of Representatives, 1 of whom shall represent a Gateway Municipality and shall serve as co-chair; 2 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom  shall represent the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations; and 1 of whom shall represent the Rural Policy Advisory Commission; and 6 members appointed by the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development: one of the appointive members shall be an architect licensed to practice in the commonwealth; one of the appointive members shall be a licensed building inspector; one of the appointive members shall be a Gateway Municipality housing director; one of the appointive members shall be a fire official from a Gateway Municipality; 2 of the appointive members shall be selected after consultation with advocacy groups on behalf of persons with disabilities. The commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations, including, but not limited to, legislative, regulatory, and procedural changes, with the clerks of the senate and House of Representatives, the chairs of the joint committee on housing not later than December 31, 2019."

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #994 to H3800

Neighborhood Stabilization Initiative Building Code Commission