Plumbing Contractor News

Series Of Bills Will Speed Construction Permits, Simplify Procedures

(Salem) Governor Ted Kulongoski today joined legislators and construction industry leaders to announce measures that will make it faster and easier for builders and the building trades to meet state code requirements. The measures address issues related to building plan review, permits, inspections, and licensing. They passed the legislature in a series of bills with bipartisan support and the endorsement of industry and trades organizations.

"I've said from the start that my first priority is to re-energize Oregon's economy," Governor Kulongoski said. "An important element of that effort is a top-to-bottom review of how government can be a more effective partner with the private sector. These bills are a perfect example of what we're doing - working with businesses and the trades to find out what it will take to meet our regulatory goals for consumer protection, safety, and an equitable business environment while stripping away cumbersome procedures that could drag down economic productivity."

Senate Bills 711, 713, 714, and 715 were developed by a working group facilitated by the Oregon Building Trades Council, drafted by the state Building Codes Division, and introduced by Senator John Minnis. They deal with plan-review and permitting problems by reducing duplication, providing for rapid interagency approval of critical construction projects, and giving builders more options.

SB 711, for instance, will allow qualified architects and engineers to sign off on plan reviews for certain residential structures, so the builder doesn't have to send them through the Building Codes Division or a local building department for approval.

SB 714 will allow use of uniform "minor label" permits statewide for minor construction projects, so that a contractor working in multiple jurisdictions can purchase a single set of labels instead of having to apply for permits from a patchwork of state and local offices.

SB 715 will give builders with critical construction projects the option of asking the Building Codes Division to do the legwork to expedite plan review, permits, and inspections in collaboration with local agencies, so that contractors can spend their time building instead of tracking paperwork.

House Bill 2
17 was introduced at the request of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The bill exempts certain kinds of industrial electrical equipment from current certification and evaluation requirements and provides alternative methods to meet state standards.

The construction-related legislation is part of the Governor's larger effort to streamline regulatory requirements and procedures in order to reduce burdens on businesses while maintaining protections for workers, consumers, public safety and the environment.

In February, the Governor issued an executive order requiring state agencies to review their business regulations, establish plans to streamline them, and identify ways to improve services to regulated businesses. The Governor noted that other bills relating to regulatory streamlining have either passed the legislature or are in legislative committees. They relate to everything from use of water rights to restaurant licensing and inspections to trucking regulation.

"Growing the economy isn't just about what business can do for Oregon - it's also about what Oregon can do for business," said Governor Kulongoski. "It's a change of attitude that says we're going to work with our partners in industry and labor to make sure our economic engine runs smoothly and efficiently. These construction measures are only the beginning of a much larger effort to make sure that state government is doing everything it can to promote entrepreneurship and cut out-of-date, burdensome and redundant regulations."

Bob Shiprack, of the Oregon Building Trades Council, joined Governor Kulongoski to highlight the construction streamlining bills.

"We are heading in the right direction," Shiprack said. "Oregon's regulatory process can be a minefield of regulation. These bills will simplify the construction process, cut time and costs, and help get Oregon back to work."

Jay Hansen, of CJ Hansen Company, hosted the governor at a project site his company is handling for Willamette University. He is also president of the Oregon Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors and testified before the legislature on construction streamlining legislation.

"These bills will save my business time and money," Hansen said. "Simplifying the permitting and licensing process will help free our business from unnecessary regulation. I support the Governor´s efforts to create an environment that fosters business in our state and these bills are a good start."

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