Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a Vermont Rental Property Registry and improves health and safety for renters.

Highlights:

• Prohibits building or causing to be built any structure that is unsafe or likely to be unsafe to other persons or property in case of fire or generation and leakage of carbon monoxide (Sec. 1.a).

• Authorizes the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development to adopt rules regarding the construction, health, safety, sanitation, and fitness for habitation of buildings, maintenance and operation of premises, and prevention of fires and removal of fire hazards, and to prescribe standards necessary to protect the public, employees, and property against harm arising out of or likely to arise out of fire (Sec. 1-2731.a-1).

• Establishes the following fire prevention and building code fees (Sec. 1-2731.c):

• The permit application fee for a construction plan approval shall be based on $8.00 per each $1,000.00 of the total valuation of the construction work proposed to be done for all buildings, but in no event shall the permit application fee exceed $185,000.00 nor be less than $50.00;

• When an inspection is required due to the change in use or ownership of a public building, the fee shall be $125.00;

• The proof of inspection fee for fire suppression, alarm, detection, and any other fire protection systems shall be $30.00; and

• Three-year initial certificate of fitness and renewal fees for individuals performing activities related to fire or life safety.

• Requires the Commissioner to make all practical efforts to process permits in a prompt manner. The Commissioner will create time limits for permit processing as well as procedures and time periods within which to notify applicants whether an application is complete (Sec. 1-2731.d).

• Specifies if the premises is not repaired or rehabilitated within a reasonable time as specified by the Commissioner in his or her order, the Commissioner may order the premises or part of them closed, if by doing so the public safety will not be imperiled; otherwise he or she will order demolition and removal of the structure, or fencing of the premises (Sec. 1-2733-2).

• Establishes a person who fails to comply with an order requiring notice to be fined $200.00 for each day’s neglect commencing with the effective date of such order or the date such order is finally determined if an appeal has been filed (Sec. 1-2734-2).

• Specifies if the Commissioner determines that the training, qualifications, and procedures are sufficient, he or she may assign responsibility to the municipality for enforcement of some or all of these rules and standards (Sec. 1-2736-2).

• Appropriates fire prevention and building inspection special fund revenues from the following sources (Sec. 1-2738.a):

• Fees relating to construction and inspection of public building and fire prevention inspections;

• Fees relating to boilers and pressure vessels;

• Fees relating to electrical installations and inspections and the licensing of electricians;

• Fees relating to cigarette certification; and

• Fees relating to plumbing installations and inspections and the licensing of plumbers.

Full Bill Text