Skip to main content

In a Win for NAHB, House Passes Key Building Codes Bill

 

The House approved NAHB-supported legislation that would help jurisdictions preserve local control over the building code adoption process while also encouraging communities to take positive steps to withstand and recover from extreme events.

The Promoting Resilient Buildings Act (H.R. 5473) addresses an issue that has become a serious concern for local governments and home builders across the country.

In 2018, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act’s pre-disaster hazard mitigation program defined “latest published editions” of building codes to include the latest two published editions of relevant codes, specifications and standards. This definition sunset in October 2023, but H.R. 5473 would remove the sunset, permanently codifying the current definition of “latest published editions” for the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program.

Without a definition of “latest published editions” for this program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will only consider whether a jurisdiction has adopted the very latest editions of building codes. This will put jurisdictions in a difficult position, pressuring the adoption of the very latest building codes without a thorough vetting and amendment process, resulting in costly code changes that do not contribute to meaningful safety and resiliency improvements.

Prior to committee passage, NAHB sent a letter to members of the House panel stating: “With the nation experiencing a housing affordability crisis, now is not the time to add more uncertainty and unnecessary costs to the home building process. We urge the swift passage of H.R. 5473 to encourage American communities to take the necessary steps to become more resilient while also protecting important building code flexibilities at the state and local levels.”

NAHB is working to get a companion bill introduced in the Senate.

Popular posts from this blog

Let's Golf! Get infront of the Arkansas Home Builders with a Sponsorship.

Save the Date - Thursday, May 16th Click on links for Sponsorships and to Enter.   Sponsorships   Enter a Team Today   We are having a Build Pac Golf Tournament to raise funds for our National Home Builders Association Political Action Fund for the State of Arkansas.  BUILD-PAC, NAHB’s bipartisan political arm, helps elect pro-housing, pro-business candidates to federal office and is critical to NAHB’s success on Capitol Hill. Elections matter and have a lasting impact. That’s why it is so important for NAHB members to be engaged in the political process every step of the way. BUILD-PAC’s mission is to elect pro-housing, pro-business candidates to Congress who will protect and promote the home building industry in Washington. It is a grassroots PAC, governed by a Board of Trustees made up of more than 100 NAHB members from across the country. Candidate contributions are recommended by the trustee(s) of jurisdiction and approved by the full board. BUILD-PAC’s strong politi
Read more

Your Voice Matters • As a member of the NAHB, AHBA, and Your Local

October 6, 2023 FROM YOUR STATE REP, Keith Wingfield, River Rock Builders You may not see what we actually do, but you will feel it in your markets soon! NAHB and all of the officers, state reps and national area chairman stay hard at work on the issues that affect you the most, usually working on codes, regulations and any other issue that affects the cost of housing. Remember that you elected officials are making these laws, regulations, codes, and other rule making……if you want to be a part of the process make sure that you answer every CALL TO ACTION so that your input is heard! Let me, your State Rep know what you need and what is affecting you the most. If I can help I will, if not I’ll send you somewhere to find the help you need! Your dues go a long way to fund this association and make sure we are not over-regulated and wiped out from codes that are not necessary. Moreover, your contributions to BUILD PAC help to ensure we elect the right people to vote the way we need them to
Read more

Job Corps - Critical Condition

                                                                                                    Take Action to Ensure a Future Workforce                                                        A Critical NAHB Jobs Training Program Hangs in the Balance.                                      You Can Help Save It A House appropriations subcommittee has eliminated the Job Corps program, the nation’s largest residential career training and education program. The Home Builders Institute, NAHB’s training affiliate, is the largest Job Corps national trades training contractor. Given the severe labor shortage in the construction industry that is raising construction costs and harming housing affordability, funding for Job Corps is needed now more than ever. Send your letter asking them to vote for an NAHB-supported amendment from Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Mark Amodei (R-NV) that restores full funding for the Job Corps program. Take Action Today at www.BuilderLink.
Read more