Chapter 527 Oregon Laws 1999

Session Law

AN ACT

SB 785

Relating to qualifications for building code enforcement personnel; amending ORS 455.720.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 455.720 is amended to read:

455.720. (1) In accordance with applicable provisions of ORS 183.310 to 183.550, to promote effective and uniform enforcement of the state building code by improving the competence of building officials and inspectors, the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, with the advice of the advisory boards, shall:

(a) Establish for building officials and inspectors reasonable minimum training and experience standards, including but not limited to courses or subjects for instruction, facilities for instruction, qualification of instructors, methods of instruction and classification of responsibility. The standards shall include provisions for determining a practical experience equivalent.

(b) Establish a procedure to be used by municipalities to determine whether a person meets minimum standards or has minimum training to be appointed or employed as a building official or inspector. The procedure shall allow for a field examination of a person to determine if the person meets the practical experience equivalent of a minimum standard.

(c) Subject to such terms, conditions and classifications as the director may impose, certify building officials as being qualified, and revoke such certifications in the manner provided in ORS 455.740.

(d) Subject to such terms, conditions and classifications as the director may impose, certify inspectors as being qualified to enforce one or more particular specialty codes, and revoke such certifications in the manner provided in ORS 455.740.

(e) Require an applicant for a certificate as a building official or inspector to demonstrate knowledge of the laws governing accessibility to buildings by disabled persons by passing an examination prescribed by the director.

(2) The director shall maintain and, upon request of municipalities, furnish information on applicants for appointment or employment as building officials or inspectors.

(3) Pursuant to ORS 183.310 to 183.550, the director shall adopt rules necessary to carry out the certification programs provided by subsections (1) to (3) of this section.

(4) The director, by rule, may require evidence of completion of continuing education covering any certification created under this section as a condition of maintaining the certification. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the director from delegating any of this power to a municipality.

Approved by the Governor July 8, 1999

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 8, 1999

Effective date October 23, 1999

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