Call to Action: HERS® Rater State Energy Code Engagement

Illinois Proposed:  Amends the Energy Efficient Building Act. Provides that each builder who completes construction on a newly constructed residential building in the State shall cause an energy audit to be completed on the building, resulting in a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score. Amends the Residential Real Property Disclosure Act. Provides that, subject to certain exceptions, prior to the transfer of title of a dwelling, the seller shall obtain an energy audit resulting in a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score of the dwelling. Effective immediately.

Iowa SSB 3148 would roll back Iowa’s energy code, currently an amended version of the 2012 IECC, to the 2009 IECC. The bill passed out of subcommittee on February 19 and is now eligible for debate on the Senate floor.

Missouri’s House Bill 2384 would disallow any community in the home rule state to adopt an energy code more stringent than the 2009 IECC. The bill passed out of the House and moved on to the Senate on February 17. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Kansas City Ordinance 260144 has been signed into law by the mayor, introducing additional amendments to the city’s adoption of the 2021 IECC. Notable amendments include rolling back wood framed walls R-values to R19 and increasing the HERS score to 70 for single-family homes less than 2,000 square feet and 65 for homes greater 2,000 square feet.

Nebraska Bill 1134 would roll back the state’s residential building codes back to the 2009 IRC, including energy provisions. A hearing is scheduled for February 24. Comments may be submitted here.

Nebraska legislators have also introduced LB800, which would update the energy code to the 2024 IECC.

South Dakota Senate Bill 129 would move the state’s voluntary state code to the 2024 IRC and IBC, including the IECC. The bill has passed out of committee in both chambers and now returns to the Senate.

Any questions, please contact Paulette McGhie at paulette@resnet.us