U.S. Representatives Introduce Disaster Response Bill

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill that aims to help control the rising cost of federal response to disasters. Reps. Carlos Curbelo (R-Florida) and Albio Sires (D-New Jersey) are the lead bipartisan sponsors of H.R. 5177, the “National Mitigation Investment Act of 2016,” which attempts to reform federal disaster policy to incentivize pre-disaster mitigation and resilient construction.

H.R. 5177 provides an additional 4% in hazard mitigation grants to states with qualifying building code systems following a natural disaster. This additional grant money acts as an incentive for states to modernize building codes.

Additionally, the legislation will authorize a pilot program of code enforcement grants to states and communities. These grants will help defray the often prohibitively expensive costs of enacting strong building codes. The bill will also authorize a study by the National Advisory Council to examine costs and losses from natural disasters, identify how states use disaster assistance and determine proactive approaches to mitigate catastrophe losses.

As a member of the BuildStrong coalition, the Big “I” is part of a national alliance of business and consumer organizations, companies and emergency management officials dedicated to promoting stronger building codes. Addressing strong and safe building practices before disaster strikes will lead to less ad hoc government disaster assistance. Strong building codes in communities across the country can save not only taxpayer dollars but, most important, lives.

Jen McPhillips is Big “I” assistant vice president of federal government affairs.