SSB 3097 (LSB 6613XC (4) 91)

SENATE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL BY CHAIRPERSON WEBSTER)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the national electrical code.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 103.1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  12A.  “National electrical code” means the national electrical code, 2023 edition, published by the national fire protection association, as modified by section 103.1B, and excluding sections 210.52(C)(3), 230.67, and 406.4(D)(4) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  103.1B  National electrical code —— alterations.
   For purposes of the national electrical code:
   1.  Dwelling units.  Section 210.8(A) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, is amended by requiring that one hundred twenty-five volt through two hundred fifty volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated one hundred fifty volts or less to ground installed in a kitchen only require ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for personnel where receptacles are installed to serve the countertop surfaces and by striking section 210.8(A)(7) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition. In lieu of basements, section 210.8(A) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, shall apply to unfinished portions or areas of the basement not intended as habitable rooms.
   2.  Arc-fault circuit interrupters.  Notwithstanding section 210.12(B) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, arc-fault circuit interrupters shall not be required for one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses, and section 210.12(B) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, shall not apply to kitchens or laundry areas.
   3.  Kitchen receptacles on islands and peninsulas.  In lieu of the requirements of section 210.52(C)(2) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, an electrical provision or at least one receptacle shall be installed at each island and peninsular countertop space with a long dimension of six hundred millimeters, or twenty-four inches, or greater and a short dimension of three hundred millimeters, or twelve inches, or greater, with a peninsular countertop being measured from the connected perpendicular wall.
   4.  Load calculations.  With respect to section 220.5(C) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, the calculated floor area of a dwelling unit shall additionally exclude garages.
   5.  Ceiling outlets.  In addition to the requirements of section 314.27(A)(2) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, outlet boxes mounted in the ceilings of family rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, and similar areas of dwelling occupancies, and located in an area of the ceiling typical for the installation of a ceiling-suspended paddle fan shall be installed to accommodate a ceiling-suspended paddle fan in accordance with section 314.27(C) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition.
   6.  Boxes at ceiling-suspended paddle fan outlets.  In lieu of the second paragraph of section 314.27(C) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, where a ceiling-suspended paddle fan is not installed, the outlet box shall comply with either section 314.27(C)(1) or 314.27(C)(2) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition.
   7.  Receptacles near bathtub and shower spaces.  In lieu of the requirements of and exceptions to section 406.9(C) of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, receptacles shall not be installed within or directly over a bathtub or shower stall.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  103.1C  Electrical code —— amendments —— limitations.
   1.  A political subdivision shall not adopt a local electrical code that is more restrictive than the national electrical code.
   2.  Prior to adopting any changes to the national electrical code pursuant to section 103.6, including but not limited to by adopting the national electrical code, 2026 edition, published by the national fire protection association, the board shall conduct an analysis of the cost to consumers of any significant changes to the national electrical code. The analysis shall be submitted to the administrative rules coordinator for publication in the Iowa administrative bulletin along with the notice of intended action.
    Sec. 4.  FUTURE REPEAL.  Section 103.1, subsection 12A, and section 103.1B, as enacted by this Act, are repealed effective upon the adoption of the national electrical code, 2026 edition, published by the national fire protection association, by the electrical examining board. The electrical examining board shall inform the Iowa Code editor upon the adoption of the national electrical code, 2026 edition.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the national electrical code. The bill adopts certain provisions of the national electrical code, 2023 edition, with amendments, as the national electrical code applicable in this state. The bill prohibits a political subdivision from adopting a local electrical code that is more restrictive than the national electrical code. The bill requires the electrical examining board (board) to conduct an analysis of the cost to consumers of any significant changes to the national electrical code prior to adopting any changes to the national electrical code. The board shall submit the analysis to the administrative rules coordinator for publication in the Iowa administrative bulletin along with the notice of intended action.
   The bill repeals the provisions adopting the national electrical code, 2023 edition, with amendments, as of the adoption of the national electrical code, 2026 edition, published by the national fire protection association, by the board. The bill requires the board to inform the Iowa Code editor upon the adoption of the national electrical code, 2026 edition.