A. The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council, hereinafter in this Part referred to as the “council”, is hereby created and shall consist of twenty members, one of whom shall be the state health officer, or his designee. With the exception of the state health officer, or his designee, who shall serve by virtue of his position, each member of the council shall be appointed by the governor, subject to Senate confirmation, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. With the exception of the state health officer, or his designee, each term for a member of the council shall be four years where a member shall serve no more than two consecutive terms. Each member of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses and mileage incurred while attending council meetings in accordance with state travel regulations promulgated by the division of administration. Reimbursement shall be limited to mileage and expenses for the attendance of twelve meetings per calendar year.

            B. A vacancy must be filled in the manner of the original appointment.

            C. The primary function of the council is to review and adopt the State Uniform Construction Code, provide for training and education of code officials, and accept all requests for amendments of the code. Specifically, the council shall establish the requirements and process for the certification and continuing education of code enforcement officers, code enforcement inspectors, and building officials and determine if any amendments to the State Uniform Construction Code are justified. If the council determines that an amendment is justified, it may enact such an amendment after a finding on the record that the modification provides a reasonable degree of public health, safety, affordability, and welfare. The council shall adopt rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act in order to implement the provisions of this Part.

            D. The council shall elect from its members a chairman and vice chairman. The chairman shall serve as chairman for a maximum of four years from the date of his election. The council shall adopt regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act in order to implement the provisions of this Part. A meeting may be called by the chairman on his own initiative and must be called by him at the request of three or more members of the council within fourteen days of such request. Each member must be notified by the chairman in writing of the time and place of the meeting at least seven days before the meeting. Each meeting shall be open to the public and any official decision of the council may be made only by a vote of at least two-thirds of those members in attendance at the meeting provided that a quorum is established prior to a vote. A majority of members of the council shall constitute a quorum.

            E. The council and its members shall be immune from personal liability for actions taken in good faith in the discharge of their responsibilities. The state shall hold the council and its members harmless from all costs, damages, and attorney fees arising from claims and suits against them with respect to matters to which such immunity applies.

NOTE: Subsection F eff. until Jan. 10, 2024. See Acts 2023, No. 150.

            F.(1) Training and technical assistance in the implementation of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code residential and commercial building energy code provisions shall be the responsibility of the technology assessment division of the Department of Natural Resources in collaboration with the council, as provided for in Subsection C of this Section.

            (2) The technology assessment division of the Department of Natural Resources shall continue training and technical assistance as funding allows.

NOTE: Subsection F as amended by Acts 2023, No. 150, eff, Jan. 10, 2024.

            F.(1) Training and technical assistance in the implementation of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code residential and commercial building energy code provisions shall be the responsibility of the technology assessment division of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources in collaboration with the council, as provided for in Subsection C of this Section.

            (2) The technology assessment division of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources shall continue training and technical assistance as funding allows.

            Acts 2005, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 12, §2, eff. Nov. 29, 2005; Acts 2007, No. 335, §1, eff. July 9, 2007; Acts 2008, No. 207, §1; Acts 2008, No. 484, §1; Acts 2008, No. 830, §1; Acts 2014, No. 836, §1, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 836, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; Acts 2022, No. 635, §1; Acts 2023, No. 150, §14, eff. Jan.10, 2024.