{"AmendmentNumber":"167","ParentBillNumber":"H5562","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"AJS1","Name":"Adam J. Scanlon","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/AJS1","ResponseDate":"2026-07-06T14:34:23.42"},"Category":null,"Action":"Consolidated","RollCall":[],"Title":"Considering Affordability in the Building Code","Branch":"House","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. Scanlon of North Attleborough moves to amend the bill by inserting after section 130 the following section:-\r\n\r\n\t“Section 130A. Said section 100 of said chapter 143, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking the ninth paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-\r\n\r\n\tThe appeals board may: (i) grant a variance from any provision of this code in any particular case, including from any provision of the current and future specialized stretch energy codes; (ii) determine the suitability of alternate materials and methods of construction, and (iii) provide reasonable interpretations of the provisions of this code; provided, however, that the appeals board decisions shall not conflict with the general objectives set forth in section 95 unless the appeals board determines that the granting of the variance would promote housing affordability and not unreasonably hinder the general objectives set forth in said section 95. In considering a request for a variance for a housing development from the current or future specialized stretch energy codes, the appeals board may consider whether strict compliance would impose a significant financial hardship, render the housing development financially infeasible, materially reduce housing affordability or substantially impair housing production, while balancing those considerations against the public interest in energy efficiency, public health and safety.”.\r\n\r\n"}