(a) Pursuant to subdivision (b), the commission may adopt amendments to the California Building Standards Code provided that they are substantially the same as model code amendments which were adopted on an emergency basis by the code publishers, if the sections being amended are not under the authority of a state agency.
(b) The commission may consider adoption of emergency amendments made to the model codes in an expedited rulemaking process outside the 18-month code adoption cycle set forth in Section 18929.1. If a model code organization adopts emergency amendments, the commission may adopt those amendments 120 days after the organization’s adoption of those amendments. This rulemaking process shall be completed within 180 days from the date the amendments were adopted by the model code organization. The commission shall ensure that the rulemaking process includes all of the following:
(1) Adequate public participation in the development of building standards prior to submittal to the commission for adoption and approval.
(2) Adequate written notice to the public of the compiled building standards and the written justification therefor.
(3) Adequate technical review of proposed building standards and accompanying justification by advisory bodies appointed by the commission.
(4) Adequate time for review of recommendations by advisory bodies prior to action by the commission.
(c) Amendments to the California Building Standards Code adopted pursuant to this section shall take effect 60 days from the date on which they are adopted by the commission.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit amendments to the California Building Standards Code that decrease the level of disabled access provided.
(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 145, Sec. 2. (AB 1693) Effective January 1, 2011.)