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House Bill 14-30 advances after committee debate over new building-permit fee structure for Union County
Summary
The Private Acts Committee advanced House Bill 14-30, a Union County local bill intended to recalculate building-permit fees by square footage, after a 5-3-2 committee vote; transcript discussion included inconsistent statements about the exact per-square-foot rate, which the article notes rather than asserting a single figure.
The Private Acts Committee advanced House Bill 14-30 on April 7 to the State and Local Government Committee after a recorded committee vote of 5 ayes, 3 nays and 2 present not voting.
Chairman Powers, the bill sponsor, described the measure as a local bill for Union County that "recalculates the rate of the building permits" and said the county last increased fees in February 2005. He described the change as intended to make permit fees more equitable by tying the charge to square footage rather than a flat fee.
Committee members asked for numerical examples. Representative Sherrill asked how much a 1,000-square-foot house would be under the new schedule; Chairman Powers responded, "that would be it'd be 50¢ per, square foot, so it'd be $500." Shortly afterward, Powers also said the current fee "was from 02/2005" and referenced a figure transcribed as "$2.25." The transcript contains inconsistent references to the precise per‑square‑foot figure and prior flat fees; the bill text should be consulted for the definitive rate.
Members also questioned which fund would receive the revenue. Chairman Powers said he was told the revenue is intended "for the property assessors office only," though he added that if certain thresholds are exceeded some counties may direct excess to a general fund; he said he would verify other counties' practices.
On the committee roll call, the clerk reported five ayes, three nays and two present not voting; the bill moves to the State and Local Government Committee.
