An Act To Reduce Certain Costs Associated With Residential Construction

Maine LD 2224 aims to lower residential construction costs by modifying state building codes and directing specific regulatory reviews. The bill removes requirements for smoke partitions on elevator hoistway doors and dual visual-audible emergency communication systems in elevators, while also clarifying that agricultural buildings are exempt from the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code unless they cultivate cannabis. Additionally, it directs the Office of the State Fire Marshal to update fire alarm standards to the 2025 edition of National Fire Protection Association code 72 and to convene a working group by January 15, 2027, to study ways to reduce the cost of mandatory residential fire sprinklers. The bill also requires the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation to report on the status of elevator safety rulemaking by the same deadline.