Legislative Update

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["b"],["a",["href","https:\/\/dsps.wi.gov\/Documents\/RulesStatutes\/SPS361to366LRRD.pdf","target","_new"]],["i"],["a",["href","https:\/\/docs.legis.wisconsin.gov\/document\/acts\/2017\/235"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/docs.legis.wisconsin.gov\/document\/acts\/2017\/237"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/docs.legis.wisconsin.gov\/2017\/proposals\/reg\/sen\/bill\/sb668"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"New State Building Code \u2013 May 1"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The Department of Safety \u0026 Professional Services has\nannounced that the updated Wisconsin Commercial Building Code will become\neffective on May 1, 2018. For the most part, the updated state code\nincorporates the 2015 editions of the ICC model building codes. However, the\nnew code modifies the 2015 International Energy Efficiency Conservation Code\nrequirements to maintain 2009 IECC standards related to building envelope\ninsulation, mechanical systems, system commissioning and high-efficiency\nlighting. In addition, the new code package reflects the Attorney General\nopinion that DSPS cannot enforce automatic fire sprinkler requirements for\nmultifamily dwellings with fewer than 20 units. "],[0,[1],1,"Wisconsin Commercial Building\nCode update package"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Shorter Statute of Repose"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The Governor has signed into law tort reform legislation\nwith provisions that shortens Wisconsin\u2019s statute of repose for improvements to\nreal property. This statute of repose, in section 893.89 of the "],[0,[2],1,"Wisconsin\nStatutes"],[0,[],0,", limits the long tail of liability for architects and others\ninvolved in the design and construction of building projects by barring legal action\nafter seven years from the date of substantial completion. The new law, which\nbecame effective on April 5, 2018, amends the previous statute of repose\nenacted in 1994 that barred legal action after ten years. Similar to prior law,\nspecial provisions are included for damages occurring during the final three\nyears of the exposure period. A previous six-year statute of repose was ruled\nunconstitutional in 1989, exposing architects to never-ending liability. AIA\nWisconsin led a successful multi-year campaign to restore the statute of repose\nfor architects, professional engineers, contractors, material suppliers, owners\nand other involved in improvements to real property. The legislation was signed\ninto law as "],[0,[3],1,"2017 Wisconsin Act 235"],[0,[],0,"."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"State Building Program \u2013\nStreamlining \u0026 Architect Selection"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Legislation to increase dollar\nthresholds for the state building program and establish statutory provisions\nfor the selection of architects based on qualifications has been signed into\nlaw by the Governor as "],[0,[4],1,"2017 Wisconsin Act 237"],[0,[],0,". AIA Wisconsin worked\nwith members of the State Building Commission and representatives of the UW\nSystem and AGC of Wisconsin to support this legislation that streamlines the\nstate building process by adjusting various dollar thresholds to reflect modern\nconstruction costs."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"State Historic Tax Credits"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA Wisconsin supported proposal\nto increase the limit on state historic tax credit awards from $500,000 to $3.5\nmillion per parcel. This legislation, "],[0,[5],1,"2017 Senate Bill\n668"],[0,[],0,", was approved overwhelmingly\nby both the Assembly and Senate. The Governor is expected to sign it into law\nlater this month."]]]]}