RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES; ALLOWING MANUFACTURERS TO CHOOSE INDEPENDENT CERTIFICATION ORGANIZATIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: Section 1. Section 60-13-44 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1967, Chapter 199, Section 52, as amended) is amended to read:

"60-13-44. TRADE BUREAUS--STANDARDS--CONFLICTS.--

A. The electrical bureau shall recommend to the commission minimum standards for the installation or use of electrical wiring. The recommendations shall substantially embody the applicable provisions of electrical standards for safety to life and property promulgated by a nationally recognized underwriting laboratory, as approved by a nationally recognized standards association, which standards are in general use in the United States or in a clearly defined region of the United States.

B. The mechanical bureau shall recommend to the commission minimum standards for the installation of all fixtures, consumers' gas pipe, appliances and materials installed in the course of a mechanical installation. The recommendations shall be in substantial conformity with the Uniform Mechanical Code published by the international conference of building officials and the Uniform Plumbing Code published by the international association of mechanical and plumbing officials. Manufacturers may choose the independent certification organization they wish to certify their products, if the certification organization is accredited by the American national standards institute or other accreditation organization selected by the commission.

C. The general construction bureau shall recommend to the commission minimum standards for the construction, alteration or repair of buildings, except for those activities within the jurisdiction of the electrical bureau or the mechanical bureau. The recommendations shall substantially embody the applicable provisions of a nationally recognized building code that is in general use in the United States or in a clearly defined region of the United States and shall give due regard to physical, climatic and other conditions peculiar to New Mexico. The standards shall include the authority to permit or deny occupancy of existing and new buildings or structures and authority to accept or deny the use of materials manufactured within or without the state. The general construction bureau may set minimum fees or charges for conducting tests to verify claims or specifications of manufacturers.

D. The general construction bureau shall recommend to the commission additional specifications for any public building constructed in the state through expenditure of state, county or municipal funds, bonds and other revenues, which specifications shall embody standards making the building accessible to individuals who are physically handicapped, and the specifications shall conform substantially with those contained in a nationally recognized standard for making public facilities accessible to the physically handicapped. All orders and rules recommended by the general construction bureau and adopted by the commission under the provisions of this section shall be printed and distributed to all licensed contractors, architects and engineers and to the governor's committee on concerns of the handicapped. The orders and rules shall take effect on a date fixed by the commission, which shall not be less than thirty days after their adoption by the commission, and shall have the force of law.

E. The general construction bureau shall have the right of review of all specifications of public buildings and the responsibility to ensure compliance with the adopted standards.

F. All political subdivisions of the state are subject to the provisions of codes adopted and approved under the Construction Industries Licensing Act. Such codes constitute a minimum requirement for the codes of political subdivisions.

G. The trade bureaus within their respective jurisdictions shall recommend to the commission standards for the installation or use of electrical wiring, the installation of all fixtures, consumers' gas pipe, appliances and materials installed in the course of mechanical installation and the construction, alteration or repair of all buildings intended for use by the physically handicapped or persons requiring special facilities to accommodate the aged. The recommendations shall give due regard to physical, climatic and other conditions peculiar to New Mexico.

H. The trade bureaus within their respective jurisdictions shall recommend to the commission standards for the construction, alteration, repair, use or occupancy of manufactured commercial units, modular homes and premanufactured homes. The recommendations shall substantially embody the applicable provisions or standards for the safety to life, health, welfare and property approved by the nationally recognized standards association, which standards are in general use in the United States or in a clearly defined region of the United States, and shall give due regard to physical, climatic and other conditions peculiar to New Mexico. Wherever existing state codes or standards conflict with the codes and standards adopted by the commission under the provisions of this subsection, the provisions of the New Mexico Uniform Building Code, the New Mexico Electrical Code, the New Mexico Plumbing Code or the Natural Gas Code of New Mexico shall exclusively apply and control, except for codes and standards for mobile housing units.

I. Modular homes and premanufactured homes in existence at the time of the effective date of the Construction Industries Licensing Act shall have their use or occupancy continued if such use or occupancy was legal on the effective date of that act, provided such continued use or occupancy is not dangerous to life. Any change in the use or occupancy or any major alteration or repair of a modular home or premanufactured home shall comply with all codes and standards adopted under the Construction Industries Licensing Act.

J. The commission shall review all recommendations made under the provisions of this section and shall by rule adopt standards and codes that substantially comply with the requirements of this section that apply to the recommendations of the trade bureaus."