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Committee advances bill allowing sealed unvented attics with certain insulation amid technical objections
Summary
Senate Bill 5940, which would permit specific sealed unvented attic assemblies using air‑impermeable insulation as an option to meet code, was reported after committee members and the Building Officials Conference raised technical and process concerns about legislating standards typically set by the codes council.
Senate Bill 5940 (sponsor: Senator Zufus) was read to the committee on March 18 and reported to the floor after substantial technical discussion about whether the legislature should set standards that are normally adopted by the state codes council.
A representative of the Building Officials Conference told members they submitted a memo opposing the bill and raised questions about permitting petroleum‑based spray polyurethane foam to take precedence in practice over other insulation choices. “Polyurethane spray foam, that's a petroleum product, isn't it?” the representative asked on the record.
Chair Senator Brian Chavanagh and other members responded that the bill clarifies that certain sealed, insulated attic assemblies are permissible when they meet specified standards. Chavanagh said the bill is intended to allow energy‑efficiency improvements by permitting an option that meets a standard and that the committee would review technical submissions and continue discussions with the sponsor and stakeholders.
Committee members repeatedly emphasized that codes councils are technical bodies with expertise in standards development and questioned whether the legislature should preempt that process for highly technical building decisions. The transcript records written material from both sides and a commitment by the committee to review materials submitted by industry and building officials before further action.
The committee reported SB 5940 to the floor; the transcript records named objections and technical memoranda but does not resolve the technical disagreements in the hearing.
