Community Building Code Administration Grant Act of 2008

COMMUNITY BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATION GRANT ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - July 09, 2008)

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Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 4461, the Community Building Code Administration Act, authored by the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore). Under current law, there are no dedicated Federal funds for building code administration. Funds from development or hazard mitigation programs have been used for this purpose in the past. The competition for these funds is intense, and infrastructure projects generally receive preference over building code enforcement. States and local jurisdictions fund local building code enforcement departments without Federal assistance.

The legislation offered by Mr. Moore requires the Secretary of HUD to award grants on a competitive basis and with Federal matching funds to qualified local building code enforcement departments. The grants can be used to increase staffing, provide staff training, increase staff competence and professional qualifications, support individual certification or departmental accreditation, or for capital expenditures specifically dedicated to department administration.

Both State and local governments that have responsibilities for administering laws and regulations addressing building safety and fire prevention would be eligible for Community Building Code Administration Grants. The bill authorizes $100 million over 5 years. Any grants awarded under this bill would be capped at $1 million.

I would like to note that HUD has expressed some reservations regarding this legislation because currently CDBG funds can be used for this exact same purpose. The Department has concerns whether or not it is necessary to dedicate another $100 million for this purpose when it is already an eligible activity under CDBG.

I would like to thank Mr. Moore for offering this legislation.

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