NU Online News Service, July 26, 3:09 p.m.EDT

Representatives of an industry association voiced strong supportfor legislation that would provide additional incentives to statesthat adopt uniform and enforceable building codes.

The bill is H.R. 2069, the Safe Building Code Incentive Act.

"The foundation of our national response [to disasters] shouldbe the adoption of model building codes that will make our homesand businesses more resistant to nature's forces," said Rep. MarioDiaz-Balart, R-Fla., the bill's primary supporter.

He testified at a Tuesday congressional hearing that strongbuilding codes are widely accepted in the emergency managementcommunity "as being our best line of defense against tornadoes,hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, and other weather induceddisasters.

"It is not enough to simply pass another supplementalappropriations bill and wait for the next storm to hit,"Diaz-Balart said.

Under the bill, qualifying states would receive an additional 4percent in post-disaster relief grants from the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency to address long-term hazard mitigation, such asimproving drainage structures, restraining cables on bridges,elevating structures to reduce flood damage, and installing windowshutters for hospitals and other critical facilities.

Rod Matthews, property and casualty operations vice presidentfor State Farm InsuranceCompanies, Bloomington, Ill., testified thatCongress can help to save lives and reduce the need for federaldisaster aid for the next natural catastrophe by incentivizing theadoption of enforcement of strong building codes.

Matthews testified on behalf of the BuildStrong Coalition,established by State Farm's trade group, the National Associationof Mutual Insurance Companies.

NAMIC established BuildStrong to bring together advocates forstronger, safer buildings.

In his testimony, Matthews said, "The ongoing need for emergencyfunding has often created political battles divided by both partyand geographic lines. We know that natural disasters areinevitable, and while planning for the costs associated with thesedisasters is not a perfect science, there is a need for the federalgovernment to budget more wisely for them on the front end.

"Merely hoping the weather cooperates and relying on luck is notthe way to establish FEMA's disaster relief budget."

David Miller, who, as an associate administrator of FEMA,oversees the National Flood Insurance Program, also testified insupport of the legislation.

He said, "Mitigation is an essential component of nationalpreparedness and emergency and emergency management, andstrengthens significantly our chances of savings lives and avoidingcosts during disasters.

"Adoption of effective building codes in local ordinances canfurther mitigation efforts and preserve lives and property thatwould otherwise be lost."

Jimi Grande, NAMIC senior vice president of federal andpolitical affairs, is a key advocate for the legislation.

He said passage of the bill would allow FEMA to "spend smarter"by providing an extra 4 percent in aid to states that ensure thatminimum safety standards are met through enforcement of statewidebuilding codes.