Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3; Title 13, Chapter 19 and Title 68, Chapter 120.

Under present law, the minimum energy conservation standards for any new residential building construction on or after January 1, 2009, are the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code published by the International Code Council. This bill changes the energy conservation standards for a new residential building construction on or after July 1, 2023, to the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code published by the International Code Council.<br /> <br /> Present law also adopts The Model Energy Code, 1992 Edition, for energy conservation in new building construction, published by the Council of American Building Officials, as the minimum requirements for the effective use of energy in new buildings, although a local jurisdiction may adopt the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code with 2002 amendments, published by the International Code Council, as the minimum requirements for the effective use of energy in new buildings in that jurisdiction. This bill adds that for new residential building construction on or after July 1, 2023, the energy conservation standards in the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code published by the International Code Council are the state energy conservation standards.<br /> <br /> ON MARCH 23, 2023, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 799, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to make changes to present law concerning residential and energy codes.<br /> <br /> Present law: <br /> <br /> (1) Requires local governments to adopt the state code for energy conservation in new building construction with any amendments it deems reasonably necessary to accommodate local conditions. If the standards adopted by local governments are equal to or stricter than the code, the local standards will control. If, however, the local standards are less strict than the code standards, the code standards will control;<br /> <br /> (2) Adopts the Model Energy Code, 1992 Edition, for energy conservation in new building construction, published by the Council of American Building Officials, as the minimum requirements for the effective use of energy in new buildings, although a local jurisdiction may adopt the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code with 2002 amendments, published by the International Code Council, as the minimum requirements for the effective use of energy in new buildings in that jurisdiction;<br /> <br /> (3) Exempts certain building types, including buildings specifically exempted by the codes identified in (2); <br /> <br /> (4) Adopts the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code published by the International Code Council as the minimum energy conservation standards for any new residential building construction on or after January 1, 2009; and<br /> <br /> (5) Requires the state fire marshal to promulgate rules establishing minimum safety standards. The standards adopted by the state fire marshal do not apply (other than for state buildings, educational occupancies, and other occupancies requiring an inspection by the state fire marshal for initial construction) in counties that certify they have adopted and enforce certain building construction and fire safety codes, such as the International Residential Code and the International Building Code.<br /> <br /> This amendment removes (1)-(4) in their entirety. This amendment adds that the state fire marshal's rules mentioned in (5) will not apply to one-family and two-family construction in counties that adopt the International Energy Conservation Code, and that are not more stringent than the state minimum standard.<br />