Buildings: Focus Is on Senate for Code-Enforcement Bill
Efforts to give building-code enforcement a financial boost from the federal government are gaining some traction on Capitol Hill. Furthest along is the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act, which the House passed in July. The measure, introduced by Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.), would establish a matching-grant program to help bolster local building- and fire-code administration and enforcement. Supporters are hoping the Senate will follow suit. In that chamber, a companion bill was introduced by Mary Landrieu (D-La.), but the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee has yet to act on it.
The International Code Council pushed for the bill’s introduction in December as a way to provide a funding mechanism dedicated to code enforcement. Currently, localities can apply for funds through more general grant programs. “Too often, especially in smaller communities, there simply aren’t sufficient resources for building safety,” says International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland.