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Senate advances charter school construction bill after debate on building codes and inspections
Summary
Senate debated second substitute House Bill 36 at length, with sponsors and colleagues emphasizing that charter schools will be permitted uses in all zoning districts, local jurisdictions will apply limited planning criteria, and inspections will still adhere to applicable building codes; the bill advanced to third reading (24–2).
Sen. Stevenson, floor sponsor for the second substitute of House Bill 36, told the Senate the measure aims to reduce construction delays for charter schools while ensuring public-safety standards are maintained.
Under the substitute, charter schools would be permitted uses in all zoning districts and local jurisdictions would apply a limited set of planning criteria to ensure compatibility with neighborhoods. The substitute also prioritizes processing of charter applications and allows charter schools to use either a school district building inspector, a municipal building inspector or an independent building inspector supervised by district or municipal officials.
“Charter schools will be permitted uses in all zoning districts,” Stevenson said, describing the compromise as placing charter schools “on the same playing field as school districts in most respects with a few significant exceptions.” He added the bill retains building code standards and inspection authority: "The inspections and the standards still apply."
Other senators pressed about scope and unintended consequences: Sen. Jenkins cautioned that local jurisdiction oversight can be diminished by similar measures and expressed concern about losing local control. Sen. Knudson, who has experience in rural counties, discussed examples where historic agricultural trails and permitting intersect with municipal development; Sen. Madsen and others supported the bill as a compromise that would reduce delays.
Debate touched on whether the bill changes substantive safety standards; supporters stressed it does not change the applicable building codes and that inspections would adhere to the International Building Code or locally applied standards delegated under state authority. Senators requested the sponsor provide clarifications by third reading on specific application questions such as size limits in residential neighborhoods and who may perform required inspections.
After debate, the Senate recorded a roll-call result advancing the measure: second substitute House Bill 36 received 24 yes votes, 2 nay votes, with 3 absent, and was ordered read for a third time.
