Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my bipartisan co-lead, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross) for his partnership on this act.

Building codes regulate new construction and major renovations, setting minimum standards for homes and commercial structures to withstand natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or, in the case of western North Carolina communities, flooding.

In 2018, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act brought consistency to the home building industry by establishing the definition of building codes as they relate to hazard mitigation to include the latest two published editions of relevant codes, specifications, and standards. This definition, however, will sunset in October. Left unresolved, FEMA can revert the definition to the single latest edition of codes.

My bill, the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2023, will codify the definition to mean the two latest published editions of building codes, which is expected to prevent significant administrative burdens on States and local municipalities responsible for producing hazard mitigation plans, reduce burdensome regulations on trade industries responsible for adapting their techniques to meet new building standards and codes, and to support stabilized building costs that would otherwise be interrupted by frequently changing building codes and rising construction costs.

Using the latest two editions of building codes does not jeopardize home resilience and will continue to ensure our communities are prepared for disaster if it ever strikes.

Additionally, the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, as amended, establishes a pilot program to fund individual resilient home retrofits with FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, program.

In order to increase disaster mitigation among States, it is imperative we expand program flexibility. This expansion includes providing opportunities for individual homeowners to access prehazard mitigation funding to minimize the impact of natural disasters. I thank the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) for her amendment, as reported by the committee, to provide this important flexibility.

Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues support this bill, which is important to homebuilders and community members through NC-11 and across the Nation.

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