Summary of February 17, 2020 Member Meeting

Post date: Mar 10, 2020 3:50:6 PM

Alliance for Regulatory Coordination

Summary of Member Meeting

Meeting Date: February 17, 2020

Location: Sun Prairie Fire Department Station Two, 2598 W. Main Street, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

The meeting was convened at 9:05 a.m. by Bob DuPont, of Regulatory Guidance and Design, LLC.

The meeting was called in order to discuss the ARC position and testimony relative to 2019 Senate Bill 820, which would prohibit the DSPS from requiring plan examination for certain commercial buildings and plumbing systems. DuPont explained he developed two versions of potential ARC testimony concerning the bill. One version reflects ARC opposition, and the other version reflects ARC opposition with recommended amendments to the bill, which would make it acceptable to the ARC.

After discussion, it was decided to have DuPont testify on behalf of the ARC in opposition, without recommending any amendments to the bill. It was agreed that DuPont should add several points to the draft testimony he had developed. Those points were:

• • We can’t rely on field inspections to catch problems not caught by plan review because building and plumbing inspections are not required for commercial buildings under state law or code.

  • We acknowledge that the problem is real; it takes too long to get plans reviewed by the DSPS.

  • We believe the problem is primarily caused by a cumbersome appointment process, not by an over- abundance of plan submittals.

  • We see the Department making progress by reducing the number of duplicate plan review appointments and engaging in more outreach and communications with their customers. We applaud those efforts and encourage more.

  • We believe that the best way forward is for the DSPS to engage the Commercial Building Code Council and the Plumbing Code Committee in a project focused on solely on plan review. That project would include many industry practitioners and stakeholders from throughout the State. It would provide an opportunity to more thoroughly consider both process and policy changes.

DuPont reminded that over the weekend he had asked all ARC members to let him know by 10 a.m. this morning, if they had a preference about which version of testimony the ARC should present. He said he heard no concerns from ARC member organizations not participating in the meeting; therefore, he will revise the ARC testimony as decided by the member representative present. DuPont said he will send that revised version to all ARC members as soon as possible and present it during the Senate Committee hearing on February 19, 2020.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

This summary was prepared by Bob DuPont, Regulatory Guidance and Design, LLC.

It was issued on March 10, 2020.

Reminder: The next meeting of Alliance Members is set for April 22, 2020, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Sun Prairie City Hall, 300 E. Main Street, Sun Prairie, WI.