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1996 SESSION

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964355204
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 243 Offered January 22, 1996 Requesting the Department of Housing and Community Development to require mandatory training for building code officials on the issue of expansive soils. ----------
Patrons-- Grayson, Almand, Cooper, Crittenden, Diamonstein, Keating, Mims, Stump and Watkins; Senators: Benedetti, Norment, Waddell and Walker
---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, the Uniform Statewide Building Code currently gives the local building official authority to require testing of soils in areas likely to have expansive or other problems soils; and

WHEREAS, where expansive or other problem soils are identified, various methods for responding to them are permitted, including removal and replacement of soils, stabilization by dewatering or other means, or the construction of special footings, foundations, or slabs; and

WHEREAS, the Council of American Building Officials provides guidance on the type of construction techniques to be employed where problem soils are present and the building codes provide for the use of appropriate construction techniques when needed, but do not directly prescribe when the need for such techniques should be determined; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Housing and Community Development be requested to require mandatory education for Virginia building code officials on the issue of expansive soils, the presence of such soils throughout the Commonwealth, and the fact that building officials should be able to rely on the subdivision process as a guide to establish that the existing soils are suitable for such minimum construction criteria as is set forth in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Such education for building officials would be contained in the curriculum of the Building Officials Code Academy convened several times annually by the Department of Housing and Community Development; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Board of Housing and Community Development so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly in this matter.