Opinion ID: 2508943
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Adoption of the IMC was consistent with the statutes authorizing its adoption.

Text: The next question is whether adoption of the IMC was consistent with the statutes authorizing its adoption. In determining whether a regulation is consistent with an agency's statutory authority, we exercise our independent judgment unless the issue involves agency expertise or fundamental policy considerations, in which case we use a rational basis standard. [18] The superior court found that adoption of a mechanical code involves fundamental policy questions and it thus applied the more deferential standard of review. Mechanical Contractors argues that the superior court erred in applying this deferential standard. But in our view, the superior court's consistency determination withstands scrutiny even under the independent judgment test. As discussed above, DPS is required to adopt regulations to establish minimum standards for fire and life safety in commercial and some residential buildings. [19] Mechanical codes cover air flow systems, and these systems impact upon fire and life safety. Thus, adoption of a mechanical code by DPS is consistent with the statutes authorizing its adoption, and not even Mechanical Contractors challenges DPS's authority to adopt the Uniform Mechanical Code. At issue is whether adoption of the IMC is consistent with the same grant of statutory authority under which DPS previously adopted the Uniform Mechanical Code. Because nothing in AS 18.70.080 requires adoption of a particular mechanical code, and because DPS's decision was reasonable, we conclude that adoption of the IMC was consistent with the statutes authorizing its adoption. We likewise conclude that DCED's adoption of the IMC as a testing standard is consistent with its statutory authority. DCED is required to conduct licensing examinations for mechanical administrators and to establish standards for license renewal. [20] Alaska Statute 08.40.270(a)(3) requires DCED to administer examinations that assess an applicant's familiarity with the Uniform Mechanical Code currently in effect in the state. When DPS repealed the Uniform Mechanical Code and replaced it with the IMC, the IMC became the mechanical code currently in effect in the state, and DCED was left with the choice of testing applicants on an obsolete code or amending its regulations to require competency in the code currently in effect. DCED's decision to adopt the IMC as the licensing standard is consistent with the legislature's intent when it established testing and licensing requirements for mechanical administrators. The legislature established these requirements in 1988 to protect the public from shoddy workmanship and to establish uniform standards to govern the industry. [21] Testimony from committee meetings held to discuss establishment of licensing requirements for this trade focused on the lack of uniform standards and the problems that arise from improperly installed water, sewer, and heating systems. [22] For example, Eugene R. Rutland, the Executive Director of Mechanical Contractors of Fairbanks, testified in support of the licensing requirements and said that licensing should ensure basic competence to perform a specific service. [23] The state would ensure basic competence by testing mechanical administrators for familiarity with the codes under which they work; and because the Uniform Mechanical Code was the mechanical code adopted by DPS at that time [24] it became one of the standards for professional competence in this trade. Once the IMC was adopted as the state's construction standard it was consistent for DCED to adopt this code as the standard for licensing.