Senate committee advances bill to allow virtual reinspections, adds inspection timing and refund rules

BOISE — The Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee on Tuesday voted to send House Bill 266 as amended to 14th order for possible further amendment after hearing testimony from lawmakers, municipal building officials and local government associations.

Representative Josh Wheeler, R-District 35, told the committee HB 266 “is looking to modernize and codify some best practices for Idaho's building inspection process.” The bill, as presented, would authorize live virtual reinspections, create a 48‑hour standard after which a property owner or contractor could hire a third‑party inspector and require a 10 percent refund of applicable fees if a reason for a failed inspection is not provided within three days.

The measures are framed as three principal changes: allowing inspectors to approve reinspections by live virtual means; a “shot‑clock” that, if a local government misses a 48‑hour inspection window, permits the permit holder to hire an…