Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown approves new construction oversight legislation.

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Construction crews remove pieces of a balcony that collapsed in Berkeley, exposing what appears to be dry-rot lumber. Photo: Mark Boster | Los Angeles Times

In response to last year's fatal balcony collapse in Berkeley, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill — SB 465 by Senators Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) and Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) — increasing transparency and providing more oversight to construction contractors. The bill also requires contractors convicted of crimes related to their work to report that information to the Contractors State License Board, which oversees the industry. "This bill is an important step toward preventing another tragedy," said Governor Brown. The SB 465 legislation helps ensure regulators have access to critical information about contractors, including any work-related criminal convictions, and requires a working group to recommend potential statutory changes to the California Building Standards Code (CA BSC). The bill, by January 1, 2018, would require the CA State Licensing Board to enter into an interagency agreement with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to ensure that specified disciplinary information relating to a contractor is timely reported to the board. The CA BSC shall convene a working group to investigate existing building standards associated with the construction, inspection and maintenance of exterior elevated elements. The working group shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from the HCD, DSA—Structural Safety, SFM, local building officials and plan checkers, structural engineers, apartment owners and managers, building industry, wood, steel and concrete industries, and any other interested parties. The working group shall review related documents and reports, including, but not limited to, forensic reports related to exterior elevated element failures in California, reports and studies used in the development of national and state building codes, and any other material deemed relevant to determine if any changes need to be made to the construction specifications or inspection requirements, excluding routine inspections that occur after project completion, contained within the CA BSC. By January 1, 2018, the working group shall report to the CA BSC any findings and possible recommendations for statutory changes or changes to the California Building Standards Code. By January 1, 2018, the working group shall also provide that report to the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development. If, at any time, it is determined by the working group that one or more changes to the CA BSC are needed as soon as possible in order to protect the public, the working group shall submit the proposed changes to the California Building Standards Commission for consideration as soon as possible. For full text of the bill, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov