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SmarterSafer.org Urges House of Representatives to Pass Incentives to Strengthen Building Codes

November 13, 2009

(Washington, DC) – SmarterSafer.org today urged the House of Representatives to immediately consider passage of the Disaster Response, Recovery and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2009  (H.R. 3377) before the end of the year.    The measure is now ready for House floor action following unanimous passage by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The legislation is a comprehensive pre-disaster mitigation bill that improves upon the current mitigation programs in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act).  First, under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), states that adopt and enforce state wide building codes would be eligible to receive additional funding from the HMGP after a disaster occurs.  Secondly, it amends the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program (PDM) to allow states to use PDM funds to building code enforcement programs prior to a disaster.  These additional programs serve as an impetus for the states to adopt more uniform building codes, as the standards for construction, inspection and enforcement vary greatly across states under the current framework.

According to a study by the National Institute of Building Sciences, it contends that for every dollar spent on mitigation, approximately four dollars are saved in reduced losses.  That is why SmarterSafer.org supports this measure. 

"With incentives for stronger building codes and investments in pre-disaster mitigation, this legislation offers a good approach to addressing the increased flooding and stronger storms that scientists predict will result from climate change," said Ed Hopkins, Director of the Sierra Club's Environmental Quality Program.

"Insofar as the federal government provides disaster relief at all, it's far better that it prefer states that do the right things. This proposal is a move in that direction and worth careful consideration.  In the long term, however, risk-based insurance rates will provide the best incentives for consumers, governments, and businesses around the country," said Eli Lehrer, Senior Fellow, The Heartland Institute.

 “PIA National has been an advocate for strong building codes and other mitigation efforts for several years.  As independent agents, our members see first-hand how mitigation programs save lives and property.  Our experience shows that communities with strong building codes and enforcement have a much better chance to withstand natural catastrophes than communities with lax, or no standards.  H.R. 3377 gives communities the tools they need to tailor programs to fit the particular perils affecting them.  We commend Representatives Oberstar and Mica for their leadership on this issue,” said Brian Marino, President-Elect, National Association of Professional Insurance Agents.

“The bill provides additional support and incentives for the adoption and enforcement of state-wide building codes.  Such improvements are even more important now, given the increasing threats from severe weather from global warming and rising sea levels,” said David Conrad, Senior Water Resources Specialist of the National Wildlife Federation.  “It is good that this bill recognizes we must do more to assure wise and safer building practices to protect people, property and the environment.”

SmarterSafer.org – formerly known as Americans for Smart Natural Catastrophe Policy – is a national coalition made up of a diverse set of voices united to support environmentally-responsible, fiscally-sound approaches that promote public safety. The Coalition strongly opposes legislative proposals that encourage people to build homes in hurricane-prone, environmentally-sensitive areas by creating new programs that directly or indirectly subsidize their homeowner’s insurance.

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