By PHIL DRAKE
HELENA – The House of Representatives on Monday refused to amend a bill as suggested by the governor and instead sent it back to him unchanged for reconsideration.
Sen. Tom Burnett, R-Bozeman, said he did not want to make changes to House Bill 307 GA as proposed by Gov. Brian Schweitzer and urged his colleagues to send it back to the governor unaltered for another chance. They approved his recommendation 66-34.
HB307 prohibits state building codes from requiring mandatory installation of fire sprinkler systems in some residential buildings.
In a March 24 letter explaining his amendments to House Speaker Mike Milburn, R-Cascade, the governor wrote: “Requiring sprinkler systems in large, new, rural residential subdivisions has been a controversial issue in recent years.  However, new residential housing projects that have limited water supply and/or are remotely located and dependent on volunteer fire departments present serious public safety concerns. 
“The bill with my amendments still prohibits state building codes from adopting a state wide requirement on fire sprinklers.  However, my amendments to House Bill 307 permit our state building codes to adopt a rule that would allow local jurisdictions to adopt and enforce building standards to decide how and when additional requirements for fire suppression should be required in new construction.
“I believe it is important to provide flexibility to local jurisdictions.  Local public meetings where citizens, professional firefighters, builders and local officials debate and hopefully come to consensus on the standards will produce better results.”
Burnett said after the session he objected in that the governor’s amendments canceled out the intent of HB 307 which was to allow builders and owners not to have a safety requirement to install sprinklers, which can cost $3,000 and $15,000 per house.
Burnett said sprinklers can be effective in reducing property damage and saving lives, but come with a whole host of problems, mostly cost. He said the amendment interferes with personal choice.
Burnett said options for the governor included him signing the bill, him vetoing the bill or not signing the bill and it would become law.
An official with the governor’s office did not know if the governor would sign HB 307.
“I don’t know what he’ll do on this particular bill, we’ll just have to get it back and go from there,” said Sarah Elliott, the governor’s communications director.
Burnett remained optimistic Monday that the governor would sign the bill as is.
“I think there is some chance he will change his mind,” he said.
To read the bill, click here: To read the governor’s amendments, click here: