2026 -- S 2911

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LC005516

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE --

ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

     

     Introduced By: Senators LaMountain, Burke, Dimitri, Felag, and Bissaillon

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 23-27.3-108.1.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3 entitled

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"State Building Code" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     23-27.3-108.1.4. Inspections.

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     (a) The building official or the alternate building official appointed pursuant to § 23-27.3-

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107.2, shall make all of the required inspections, or he or she may accept reports of inspections

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from a qualified registered professional engineer or architect or others certified by the committee

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and all reports of the inspections shall be in writing, or the building official may engage such experts

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as he or she may deem necessary to report upon unusual technical issues that may arise.

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     (b) The building official or the alternate building official appointed pursuant to § 23-27.3-

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107.2, shall make all of the required inspections in a timely manner and if, required inspections are

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not completed within twenty (20) calendar days after receiving notification from the property owner

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or contractor, the property owner or contractor may utilize the services of an independent building

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inspector that is qualified under this chapter to conduct the required inspections.

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     (c) If the property owner or contractor utilizes the services of an independent building

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inspector pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the building official or

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alternate building official, shall be required to accept the findings of the independent building

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inspector.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE --

ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

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     This act would permit property owners or contractors to utilize an independent building

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inspector if the municipality’s building inspector does not inspect the property within twenty (20)

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days of notification.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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