Page 20 - Builder Brief February 2025

LEGISLATIVE NEWS
BUILDING CODES BILL CHAMPIONED BY NAHB INTRODUCED IN HOUSE
Reps. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) and Dina Titus (D-Nev.) have introduced NAHB-supported legislation that would help jurisdictions preserve local control over the building code adoption process while also encouraging communities to take positive steps to withstand and recover from extreme events.
“NAHB commends Reps. Edwards and Titus for introducing the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act,” said NAHB Chairman Carl Harris. “Edwards championed this legislation in the 118th Congress because he opposes needless regulatory mandates that raise housing costs. By preserving local control over the code adoption process, this legislation will reduce housing costs and help builders build more homes.”
The Promoting Resilient Buildings Act addresses an issue that has become a serious concern for local governments and home builders across the country.
In 2018, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act’s pre- disaster hazard mitigation program defined “latest published editions” of building codes to include the latest two published editions of relevant codes, specifications and standards. This definition sunset in October 2023, but this legislation would remove the sunset, permanently codifying the current definition of “latest published editions” for the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program.
Without a definition of “latest published editions” for this program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will only consider whether a jurisdiction has adopted the very latest editions of building codes. This will put jurisdictions in a difficult position, pressuring the adoption of the very latest building codes without a thorough vetting and amendment process, resulting in costly code changes that do not contribute to meaningful safety and resiliency improvements.
This legislation passed the House in the 118th Congress and was approved by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs but was never approved by the full Senate.
The early reintroduction of this legislation in the new congressional session signals that lawmakers are prioritizing this important bill. NAHB is committed to working closely with the House to ensure its passage and will also focus on advancing companion legislation in the Senate.
SENATE INTRODUCES NAHB-SUPPORTED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BILL
Bipartisan legislation championed by NAHB that is tailored specifically to ease the severe residential construction labor shortage was introduced in the Senate yesterday.
Sens. Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural or Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools (CONSTRUCTS) Act, legislation that will support the construction workforce, help improve the housing supply and bend the rising housing cost curve across the nation. Both senators championed this bill in the previous Congress as well.
The CONSTRUCTS Act directly addresses the lack of workers in the housing sector by expanding opportunities for residential construction training programs at community colleges, technical education schools and other training programs.
In any given month, there is a shortage of 200,000 to 400,000 construction workers, and home builders will need to add 2.2 million new workers over the next three years just to keep up with demand. By supporting funding for building and construction trades education, this legislation would bolster the housing workforce and directly address the shortage of skilled construction workers.
Companion legislation is expected to be introduced in the House in the near term.
20 FEBRUARY 2025 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION