Opinion ID: 2508943
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Adoption of the IMC was reasonably necessary to implement the statutes authorizing its adoption.

Text: The next question is whether adoption of the IMC was reasonably necessary to implement the statutes authorizing its adoption. If we find that a regulation is consistent with the statutory purpose, we will not generally require a separate showing of reasonable necessity. As we stated in State, Department of Revenue, Permanent Fund Dividend Division v. Cosio: Strictly applied, inquiry into whether a regulation is necessary as a means to a legislative end would mire this court in questions of public policy and the advisability of possible alternatives. Such a searching inquiry is beyond our authority and expertise. It is a rare case where a regulation, although not inconsistent with the purpose of the statute, is wholly superfluous to the achievement of that purpose. [25] The record indicates that DPS adopted the International Building Code because it was the most current building code available and the only national building code in existence. Additionally, DPS was concerned that a failure to adopt the most recent building code could jeopardize federal disaster relief funding because the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides full disaster relief funding only to states with fully updated building codes. DPS also adopted the IMC because it wanted a mechanical code that was consistent with both the International Building and Fire Codes and because it believed that the IMC was superior to the Uniform Mechanical Code. Finally, DPS projected substantial cost savings in construction projects that used the IMC rather than the Uniform Mechanical Code. Likewise, DCED adopted the IMC as the testing standard for mechanical administrators because DPS repealed the Uniform Mechanical Code and replaced it with the IMC. DCED updates its licensing examinations when DPS updates the model codes, and it amended its regulations to use the IMC as the testing standard when DPS adopted that code. If the IMC is the standard used by the construction industry in Alaska, requiring proficiency in this code is reasonably necessary to implement the examination standards of AS 08.40.270.