Key Codes Bill Clears Senate Panel

On Aug. 6, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs advanced the NAHB-supported Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, legislation that would help communities maintain local control over building code adoption while encouraging stronger preparation for and recovery from extreme events.

The bill would strengthen the resilience of homes vulnerable to natural disasters by expanding eligibility for FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program to more states and local communities.

A companion bill is pending in the House.

The legislation responds to a growing concern for local governments and home builders nationwide.

Under the 2018 Disaster Recovery Reform Act, the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program defined “latest published editions” of building codes as the two most recent editions of applicable codes, specifications and standards. That definition expired in October 2023; this bill would eliminate the sunset and permanently codify it for the program.

Without this definition, FEMA would consider only whether a jurisdiction has adopted the most recent building codes. That could pressure communities to adopt new codes before they have been fully reviewed and amended, leading to costly changes that may not deliver meaningful safety or resilience benefits.