AIA Rallies Support for Building Code Legislation

Gov. Marc Racicot, president of the American Insurance Association, today expressed AIA’s support for legislation that would create a competitive national program that provides awards to local governments for building code administration and enforcement, and applauded the House Financial Services Committee for reporting the bill to the full House of Representatives.

Introduced by Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS), the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act (H.R. 4461), provides needed funding to assist local and state authorities with enacting and enforcing strong building codes.

“There is overwhelming evidence that adoption and enforcement of building codes can greatly reduce the disruption of lives and economic losses caused by a natural catastrophe,” said Racicot. “Every year, the federal government and the private sector pay billions in disaster relief and in the rebuilding of communities following natural disasters. Taking action before the earthquake, or hurricane, or tornado is the wise and prudent thing to do to help mitigate the damages."

The bill establishes a five-year program that authorizes $100 million to go to local governments over that period, caps awards at $1 million per-recipient, requires recipients to match a portion of funds received, and outlines eligible uses of funds and selection criteria, with preference offered to governments in financial distress. The legislation would not interfere with local and state authority to enact and enforce building codes.

“If we are to reduce vulnerability to future hazards, responsible building is an essential first step. AIA supports the development of federal programs that provide economic incentives to encourage the adoption and enforcement of building codes, as called for in this very sound piece of legislation,” Racicot concluded.