Building-codes bill approved in House

A bill to prevent cities and counties from enacting “aesthetic” building codes passed in the House on Tuesday by a vote of 70-18.

The Senate has already given its consent to the legislation, Senate Bill 170. However, because the bill was amended in the House, the vote Tuesday sent the bill back to the upper chamber for concurrence.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson intends to sign the bill if it reaches his desk, a spokesman said Tuesday.

SB170 has been opposed by the Municipal League but supported by property-rights groups, which lined the steps outside the House chamber.

“Our emails have been inundated” over the bill, remarked Rep. Reginald Murdoch, D-Marianna.

The House sponsor, Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs, described it as “a little bill that protects a lot of people.”

The bill would prohibit cities and counties from regulating “residential building design elements,” such as siding material, the pitch of a roof and the styles of windows and doors. Proponents of the bill say it will prevent cities from discouraging affordable housing.

Opponents have argued that city officials are elected to make those decisions. Cozart said Tuesday that after the bill was amended, the Municipal League was neutral on it. However, the league’s executive director could not be reached.