Regulation

Establishing Independent Regulatory Boards for Construction Codes

Background:

Electrical, plumbing and high pressure piping boards were established during the 2007 legislative session to regulate the building code and enforcement the practice of the trades covered by these boards. These regulatory and enforcement duties were previously controlled by the Department of Labor and Industry. Additional regulatory boards were also proposed during that legislative session.

ACEC/MN Position
ACEC/MN is opposed to establishing independent regulatory boards for construction related activities. The consolidation of these activities under one agency (Department of Labor and Industry), and not separate boards, allows for a unified approach to establishing code and regulation of the construction industry.Keepingthese functions under one entity also minimizes government bureaucracy.

In addition, the makeup of the newly established boards, and the boards that have been proposed are heavily weighted in favor of labor representatives and contractors. Engineers and code officials are severely underrepresented on these boards. Engineers have an obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and should have a much stronger role in the decision making process on any contstruction-related regulatory board.