SB 7000 by Sen. Tom Lee (R-Brandon) http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/07000 and HB 091 by Rep. Stan McClain http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/00901, supported by the homebuilders, reverse the process for revising the Florida Building Code. Current law requires the Florida Building Commission to automatically adopt the International Code Council (ICC) codes every three years, and the Commission then may make Florida-specific modifications.
Instead, the bills set the upcoming 6th Edition of the Florida Building Code, tentatively set to take effect on December 31, 2017, as the new base code. The Commission may then review but is not required to automatically adopt new ICC codes on the three-year cycle. In addition going forward, previously adopted amendments and modifications remain in effect when a new edition of the Florida Building Code is published.
AFSA-FL is working with other concerned interests to explain the problems with this legislation, including how over the long-term, Florida could fall behind in the area of fire safety. Property insurers, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH), and the Building Officials Association of Florida have all also weighed in with their concerns.