SBCC adopts short website statement on I‑2066 and directs staff to post links, explains next steps for energy code petitions

The Washington State Building Code Council on Feb. 21 adopted a website statement explaining its process for responding to Initiative 2066 (I‑2066) and related statutes.

The council approved a short front‑page statement noting that I‑2066 may affect code provisions and that the council is investigating whether changes are needed to bring the 2021 energy code and related rules into compliance. The SBCC directed staff to post the statement prominently on the council website, to provide links to the motion from the Nov. 22 special council meeting and to create a central page with supporting materials and links where the public can find litigation filings, rule‑making notices and the portal for submitting petitions.

Process clarifications discussed at the meeting included the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) requirements and the agency’s CR‑101 filing to signal the start of any rule‑making work. Council staff confirmed a CR‑101 notice will be filed for the 2021 energy code if the council determines rule making is needed; council members noted a prior CR‑101 filed in December referenced the 2024 codes and staff said it would correct any clerical errors so the publication reflects the council’s intent.

Public commenters and council members debated whether the SBCC website should host litigation filings. Jim Lazar urged the council to post court documents as they become public to save repeated public‑records requests; Patrick Hanks of the Building Industry Association of Washington warned that summaries and context are important so active litigation does not create public confusion about compliance obligations.

The council asked staff to add a clear timeline, links to the petition submission window (staff confirmed a special submittal window for certain 2021 petitions is open Feb. 10–Apr. 7) and to make the central page a living resource, updated as legal and procedural steps occur.

Ending: The SBCC’s action establishes a short, public statement and a central online resource that staff will populate; any substantive code changes remain subject to APA rule making and future council action.