House Resolution 1792
By: Representatives Franklin of the 160th, Gaines of the 120th, Wade of the 9th, Gambill of
the 15th, Leverett of the 123rd, and others
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to refrain from adopting the 2024
International Energy Conservation Code for residential construction; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, access to safe, decent, and affordable housing is essential to the economic
stability and quality of life of citizens of this state; and
WHEREAS, this state is currently experiencing significant housing affordability challenges,
with rising construction costs contributing to increased home prices and reduced
homeownership opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs is considering whether to adopt
the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, which would impose new mandates
affecting residential construction across the state; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's current energy code, the 2015 International Energy Conservation
Code with Georgia amendments, reflects a balance between energy efficiency and
affordability appropriate for Georgia's climate; and
WHEREAS, Georgia-specific cost modeling indicates that the adoption of the 2024
International Energy Conservation Code would increase construction costs by thousands of
dollars per home; and
WHEREAS, housing affordability concerns are compounded by the fact that every $1,000.00
increase in home prices will price out more than 5,000 Georgia households from the housing
market; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's existing energy code aligns with, or exceeds, many such codes within
the region and allows for energy conscious construction without imposing excessive costs;
and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of this state to avoid unnecessary
regulatory mandates that increase housing costs during a time of significant affordability
challenges.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
GEORGIA that members of this body urge the Georgia Department of Community Affairs
to refrain from adopting the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code for residential
construction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body encourage the Georgia
Department of Community Affairs to continue the use of the 2015 International Energy
Conservation Code with Georgia amendments as the state-wide energy code in order to
maintain an appropriate balance between energy efficiency and housing affordability.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
commissioner of community affairs and to the chairperson and vice chairperson of the State
Codes Advisory Committee.