HB264 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Lawrence McAdory

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Jim McClendonJamie IsonSteve McMillanAlan BakerChad FincherJoe FaustHarry ShiverJimmy MartinJoe HubbardGerald H. AllenDickie DrakeJack WilliamsPaul DeMarcoMike BallVictor GastonJay LoveRandy WoodBarry MaskDuwayne BridgesRod ScottElaine BeechMary Sue McClurkinBenjamin H. LewisWarren BeckRon JohnsonRichard J. LairdAllen TreadawayBlaine GalliherFrank McDanielRobert BentleyGreg WrenMicky HammonPhil WilliamsDavid GrimesHoward SanderfordPat MooreGregory CanfieldMac McCutcheonAlan HarperMarcel BlackJody LetsonMike CurtisOliver RobinsonChris EnglandEarl F. HilliardThad McClammyJames O. GordonLocy BakerRandy HinshawTerry SpicerBarbara Bigsby BoydArtis McCampbellTammy IronsRonald GrantlandBill J. DukesLesley VanceWilliam “Bill” M. BeasleyMike HillRandy DavisCraig FordCam WardElwyn ThomasJeremy OdenJohnny Mack MorrowPatricia ToddJames C. FieldsWilliam E. ThigpenButch TaylorHenry A. WhiteKen GuinMerika ColemanJames E. BuskeySteve HurstJohn F. Knight Jr

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Alabama Residential Energy Code Board changed to Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board, Model Energy Code replaced with Alabama Energy and Residential Codes, adoption of modern building and energy codes in compliance with federal law to be implemented by counties and municipalities, board members increased, certain farm structures excluded, sprinkler systems provided for, Secs. 41-23-80, 41-23-81, 41-23-82, 41-23-83, 41-23-84, 41-23-85 am'd.

Summary

HB264 replaces the Model Energy Code with the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes and creates an expanded, state-led board to adopt and implement modern residential energy and building codes, with farm structures exempt and protections for sprinkler installations.

What This Bill Does

The bill designates the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes as the governing codes and gives the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board sole authority to adopt, amend, and revise them in line with federal guidelines. It expands board membership, sets five-year terms with staggered starts, and requires diverse representation. It excludes farm structures from the codes and prohibits state or local entities from mandating residential fire sprinkler installations while preserving a consumer’s right to install sprinklers at their own expense; it also allows existing local ordinances to continue under certain conditions and requires local adoption of the codes through a formal process.

Who It Affects

• Local governments (counties and municipalities) will be responsible for adopting and implementing the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes, may amend codes for local conditions (but not override federal requirements), and must follow open meetings and regulatory procedures.
• Homeowners, residents, builders, contractors, and other building and energy interests are affected by the new rights and limits around sprinkler systems (consumers may install sprinklers if they choose and are not mandatorily required by law), the farm-structure exemption, and the move to a uniform code adopted at the state level.

Key Provisions

• Replaces the Model Energy Code with the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes; the board has the sole authority to adopt, amend, and implement these codes and must comply with federal energy and building guidelines.
• Expands the board from 13–15 members (with two additional members appointed by the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Policy); aims for inclusive, diverse representation and sets five-year terms with staggered initial terms; board meetings fall under the Open Meetings Act.
• Farm structures are exempt from the codes; defined as non-residential farm buildings such as barns, sheds, and poultry houses on a farm, excluding structures that were originally farm structures but later repurposed.
• Municipal, county, or state rules may not require installation of residential fire sprinkler systems in new or existing single-family or two-family dwellings, and cannot restrict a consumer’s ability to install sprinklers (with existing local ordinances allowed to continue if enacted before the act).
• Local amendments to the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes may be made to fit local conditions, but not to provisions mandated by federal law or regulation; conflicts between local/state codes and the board’s codes are resolved in favor of the board.
• The division (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs) oversees the board; the board provides recommendations, studies, and information to aid adoption, and must report annually to the division and units of local government; actions are intended to align state and local codes with federal requirements.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Energy