HB310 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Brett EasterbrookRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to building codes; to create the Healthier Homes Construction Practices Act; to authorize counties and municipalities to adopt procedures for the installation and activation of temporary-permanent electricity or temporary-permanent gas under certain conditions; and to provide certain requirements for the activation.

Summary

HB310 creates the Healthier Homes Construction Practices Act to let counties and municipalities set rules for installing and activating temporary-permanent electricity or gas in homes under construction to protect indoor air quality and structural integrity.

What This Bill Does

HB310 authorizes local governments to adopt procedures for temporary-permanent electricity or gas in dwellings under construction to improve indoor air quality. It sets safety and readiness requirements that must be met before activation, including inspections, secured wiring, and proper heating/cooling installation, with the electrical or gas service in the permittee’s name. It prohibits occupancy until final inspections are complete and adds septic-plan requirements if sewer is not available. It places responsibilities on licensed builders or general contractors to obtain permits and coordinate with utility providers.

Who It Affects

• Counties and municipalities: may adopt and enforce procedures for installing and activating temporary-permanent electricity or gas in new homes
• Licensed residential home builders or general contractors (permittees): must obtain permits, request temporary-permanent service, ensure all required steps are completed, and have service in their name; occupancy requires final inspections

Key Provisions

• Creates Healthier Homes Construction Practices Act and authorizes local governments to adopt procedures for temporary-permanent electricity or gas in dwellings under construction
• Before activating temporary-permanent electricity: structure secured, code-compliant electrical/ plumbing/ mechanical work, all rough inspections approved, drywall installed (finish not required), energized wiring secured, at least one exterior outlet with GFCI where applicable, electrical service ready for service by a licensed contractor, in-structure heating/cooling installed and vented, permit issued to a licensed builder or general contractor, permittee requests temp electricity, service in permittee's name, and compliance with provider requirements
• Before activating temporary-permanent gas: structure secured, gas line installed per codes between heater and meter, unconnected gas lines capped, temporary pressure test for installation, final pressure test for permanent service, gas service certified ready by a licensed gas fitter, in-structure heating/cooling installed and vented, return air with a MERV 4 filter, permit issued to a licensed builder or contractor, permittee requests temp gas, gas system complete and code-compliant with required inspections
• No additional requirements may be placed on contractors beyond these activation rules
• Temporary-permanent services may not be occupied; permanent service allowed only after final inspections
• If sewer service is unavailable, septic plans and health department approvals must accompany temporary-permanent service requests
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.