HR1792: HR1792 Georgia Department of Community Affairs; refrain from adopting the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code for residential construction; urge

26 LC 62 0485 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 f rom adopting the 20241 International Energy Conservation Code for residential construction; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, access to safe, decent, and affordable housing is esse ntial to the economic3 stability and quality of life of citizens of this state; and4 WHEREAS, this state is currently experiencing significant housing affordability challenges,5 with rising construction costs contributing to increased home p rices and reduced6 homeownership opportunities; and7 WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs is considering whether to adopt8 the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, which would im pose new mandates9 affecting residential construction across the state; and10 WHEREAS, Georgia's current energy code, the 2015 International Energy Conservation11 Code with Georgia amendments, reflects a balance between energy efficiency and12 affordability appropriate for Georgia's climate; and13 H. R. 1792 - 1 - 26 LC 62 0485 WHEREAS, Georgia-specific cost modeling indicates that the adop tion of the 202414 International Energy Conservation Code would increase construction costs by thousands of15 dollars per home; and16 WHEREAS, housing affordability concerns are compounded by the fact that every $1,000.0017 increase in home prices will price out more than 5,000 Georgia households from the housing18 market; and19 WHEREAS, Georgia's existing energy code aligns with, or exceeds, many such codes within20 the region and allows for energy conscious construction without imposing excessive costs;21 and22 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of this sta te to avoid unnecessary23 regulatory mandates that increase housing costs during a time o f significant affordability24 challenges.25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF26 GEORGIA that members of this body urge the Georgia Department of Community Affairs27 to refrain from adopting the 2024 International Energy Conserva tion Code for residential28 construction.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body encourage the Georgia30 Department of Community Affairs to continue the use of the 2015 International Energy31 Conservation Code with Georgia amendments as the state-wide ene rgy code in order to32 maintain an appropriate balance between energy efficiency and housing affordability.33 H. R. 1792 - 2 - 26 LC 62 0485 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized34 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the35 commissioner of community affairs and to the chairperson and vice chairperson of the State36 Codes Advisory Committee.37 H. R. 1792 - 3 -