The Senate State and Local Government and Veteran Affairs Committee took testimony Tuesday on SB 151 which would authorize a park district’s board of park commissioners to create a building department for building code enforcement purposes.

Interim Executive Director Steve Madewell of Lake Metroparks appeared as a proponent, noting he had originally broached the idea for SB151 to Sen. Grendell. He emphasized that legislative changes would be permissive only.

“This simply includes 1545 park districts on the list of political subdivisions authorized to administer a building department,” he said. “Currently, this list includes municipalities, counties and townships.”

Madewell explained that the bill would not change current requirements of the Ohio Basic Building Code, nor bidding or contracting requirements.