ICC eNews
Code Council Delegation Visits Capitol Hill
A delegation from the International Code Council visited Capitol Hill during Building Safety Week 2008 to build support for the Community Building Code Administration Grant (CBCAG) Act. The legislation, introduced in Congress last year, would provide grants to jurisdictions to enhance their code enforcement capabilities.
"If we do our jobs you don't read about the building that didn't collapse,” Council Board President Steve Shaprio said during one of the Council’s 120 meetings on the Hill. “We respect the First Responders, but we are the First Preventers."
When enacted and funded, the legislation will provide competitively evaluated federal grants, locally matched, to jurisdictions that seek to build-up their local building and fire code administration and enforcement capabilities. The funds will aid communities that see their resources stretched when they face building booms or rebuild after a disaster.
"We're trying to assist states that don't have adequate support structure," said Council CEO Rick Weiland while discussing the CBCAG Act with staff members from the office of Senator Mark Pryor (D-LA). "You can mandate code enforcement and jurisdictions can adopt, but if you don't have people on the ground it doesn't help."
"It has been proven over and over again that structures built to code and inspected properly stand up to natural disasters," Shapiro told staff members of the office of Representative Pete King (R-NY).
The CBCAG Act was introduced by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Representative Dennis Moore (D-KS). Cosponsors include Representatives Melissa Bean (D-IL) Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Ron Klein (D-FL), Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Christopher Murphy of Connecticut. The proposed legislation awaits consideration by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and House Committee on Financial Services.
"It is a good public policy," said David Dailey, Legislative Assistant to Congressman Robert "Bobby" Scott (D-VA). "I know cities in Virginia will be able to benefit from this."
"I think it is a good idea," added Adam Paulson, Senior Legislative Assistant to King, who is co-chair of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus. "It's very important to Congressman King to have fire service support, so it's great that you do."
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