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Assembly passes chapter amendment directing code council to set EV-ready standards for new buildings
Summary
The Assembly passed a chapter amendment moving EV-ready infrastructure authority into energy law and directing the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council to set standards for new buildings with off-street parking. Debate focused on feasibility, costs, insurance, grid readiness and unelected rulemaking authority.
The Assembly voted to approve a chapter amendment that places authority for electric vehicle-ready infrastructure standards under the energy law and directs the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council to consider minimum standards for EV charging readiness in new buildings with off-street parking.
Sponsor "Mister Burrows" said the change offers flexibility to adapt building codes to facilitate electrification in new construction. "This bill applies to new construction with off-street parking," the sponsor said, framing the measure as a way to reduce future retrofit costs and help meet climate goals.
Opponents raised repeated concerns about cost, safety and implementation. One member warned, "We need cost studies, feasibility studies, reliability studies, safety studies," and pressed for statutory direction to consult utilities, insurers and the Department of Public Service before delegating standards to the codes council.
Other speakers asked whether the code council — an appointed body — would override local municipalities, whether affordable housing projects were effectively exempted, and how the rulemaking timeline would operate. The sponsor and supporters said the bill intentionally grants the council flexibility and includes exemptions for projects with local, state or federal affordable-housing approvals. The measure passed on a recorded vote (Ayes 89, Nos 55).
