Senate approves bills to shorten commercial building reviews

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The Wisconsin State Senate on Tuesday passed several bills that would alter how state and local government would review commercial building plans.

Lawmakers voted to pass Senate Bills 186, 187 and 188 without discussion. In December, the bills passed the Senate Committee on Government Operations.

Bill supporters promised they would eliminate delays in the commercial building process, while state inspectors said maintaining the current system was important to public health and safety.

As previously reported, here’s what the bills would do.

• Senate Bill 186: Adds flexibility for owners to schedule appointments with DSPS and waive examinations for certain plumbing plans, according to the bill text
• Senate Bill 187: Increases the review threshold for new construction from 50,000 cubic feet to 100,000 cubic feet. The bill will repeal a fee forwarding requirement and require DSPS to plan to encourage cities, towns and villages to start their own building examinations
• Senate Bill 188: Amends an existing statute and allow early construction starts before plans are approved, without removing liability from the plan designers

In 2022, lawmakers introduced a similar set of bills that would have exempted single story buildings with 100,000 square feet and buildings with 24 plumbing fixtures or fewer from state review. Gov. Tony Evers vetoed the bills, citing consumer protection and public safety concerns.

The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) registered in opposition to all three bills. A legislative liaison for the agency said most delays were caused by submitters not properly submitting or responding on plans rather than problems with the review process itself.

The Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin, NAIOP Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Builders Association are among groups that supported the bills.

Doug Hoerth, president of the Building Inspectors Association of Northeastern Wisconsin, said in a statement the reviews will help owners or contractors avoided unnecessary costs.

“Building plan reviews are a critical step in any building process. These reviews can help the owners or contractors prevent unnecessary costs associated with building something that may be in violation of the building codes,” Hoerth added.

Several contractor groups, including the Mechanical Contractors Association of Wisconsin, came out against SB 186.

Senate rejects Evers appointee, confirms Strand for PSC

The state Senate on Tuesday rejected the nomination for Tyler Huebner, an Evers appointee, for commissioner of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

According to the governor’s office, Senate Republicans in October voted to fire seven governor’s appointees.

“It’s my job to appoint the best and most qualified people to serve our state—that’s what I have been and will continue doing, regardless of the apparent Republican position that every appointee must agree with them 100 percent of the time to earn their support,” Evers said in a statement.

The Senate confirmed Summer Strand as Commissioner of PSC, though five lawmakers across party lines voted “no.”

Evers announced on Friday that Strand will be the next PSC chair after Rebecca Valcq retires.