(JUNEAU) - The Alaska House of Representatives approved House Bill 269 by a vote of 34 to one on Tuesday. Sponsored by Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom (R-Government Hill/Birchwood), HB 269 establishes a nine-member Safety Code Task Force to review the variety of state safety codes and to resolve any contradictions that may exist.

"Right now Alaska has five different primary safety codes that deal with construction in the state, and two different departments that enforce them," Dahlstrom said. "A task force will help divert any potential conflicts and foster more cooperation between the departments on these codes."

Currently, the state fire, building, and mechanical codes are under the jurisdiction of the Fire Marshall at the Department of Public Safety. Meanwhile, the plumbing and electrical codes are enforced by the Department of Labor. With such a range of codes and departments, the possibility of conflicts and discrepancies increases. The task force will seek ways to consolidate these codes for more uniform enforcement, and, will present its recommendations to the legislature by the first day of the Second Regular Session of the Twenty Third Alaska State Legislature.

The task force will have two co-chairs; the President of the Senate will appoint one, and the Speaker of the House will appoint the other. The Governor will appoint a member of the administration to the task force. Upon appointment by both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House, the remaining members will include: a representative of the construction design community, a representative of the construction engineering community, a representative for general contractors, a representative for mechanical contractors, a representative for electrical contractors, and a representative for plumbing contractors. The Governor will also appoint an advisory panel that will contain members of industry, organizations, and government. The panelists will advise the task force on the effect that any changes in code will have on their respective communities.

"With the cooperation of everyone on this panel, the challenge to streamline Alaska's safety codes can be solved quickly," Dahlstrom said. "A few short months of problem solving will smooth out years of future construction in Alaska."

# # #