Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Codes Initiative topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County building official pauses action after judge overturns Initiative 02/1966; staff will await appeals
Summary
Community development staff told commissioners a judge found Initiative 02/1966 unconstitutional; the county will hold proposed code changes for gas-independence/home energy until appeals conclude and coordinate with the Building Officials and the county attorney.
Josh, a community development staff member, updated the Mason County Board of Commissioners on a locally relevant ballot initiative known as Initiative 02/1966, which sought to alter building-code options related to gas appliances. Josh said a judge on March 21 ruled the initiative unconstitutional and that county staff and legal counsel recommend pausing local implementation and allowing the appeals process to play out.
Josh summarized the background: the initiative had been proposed to expand options for builders and to avoid conflicts with state building code requirements. He told the commission the county had been discussing three possible approaches but that the court ruling removed the immediate legal basis for local changes. “My recommendation…is that we hold off currently and let the appeals process take its course,” he said.
Why it matters: the discussion affects how Mason County and other local jurisdictions can adopt or adapt energy- and gas-related code provisions. Staff said they will coordinate with the building officials association (OMB) and legal counsel to consider bill language and possible future legislative fixes during the next legislative session.
Next steps: staff will monitor the appeals process, coordinate with Tim (legal counsel) and Mark (county administration), and report back. No formal action was taken.
