Senate Commerce committee advances bill allowing virtual reinspections, sets 48-hour shot clock and small refund for late failure notices

Representative Josh Wheeler, sponsor of House Bill 266, told the Senate Commerce Committee the bill "is looking to modernize and codify some best practices for Idaho's building inspection process." The measure would authorize live virtual reinspections, create a 48‑hour "shot clock" after which a citizen or contractor could hire a third‑party inspector, and require a 10% refund of applicable fees if a local unit of government fails to notify a contractor or citizen of the reason for a failed inspection within three days.

The bill’s sponsor said the virtual reinspection option would let an inspector "use technology, make sure they're looking at the right place, see that the corrections happened and approve a reinspection that way." Wheeler also described the shot‑clock provision: "if the local unit of government is unable to get to the inspection within 48 hours, then the citizen or contractor is authorized to hire a third party inspection company ... and the local unit of government would reimburse…