ICC GOVERNMENT RELATIONS NEWS

Government Relations Highlights — August

The 2006 and 2003 International Building Code (IBC) are referenced in the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) E-74 guide entitled, "Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage – A Practical Guide, Fourth Edition." FEMA E-74 explains the sources of nonstructural earthquake damage in simple terms and provides methods for reducing potential risks. The guide is intended for non-technical audiences, including building owners, facility managers, maintenance personnel, store or office managers, corporate or agency department heads, and homeowners. Code Council Government Relations Manager Mel Cosgrove visited a small town in Alabama that had been torn apart by a tornado. He saw that storm shelters (constructed to the ICC 500 standard) were some of the only structures remaining. Following discussions with the local building officials about the benefits of ICC and the International Codes, the mayor of the city of Phil Campbell, Alabama, approved joining ICC as a Governmental Member, as well as joining the Code Officials Associations of Alabama and the North Alabama Chapter. The mayor also said he would take representatives of the IBC and the International Residential Code (IRC) to FEMA and show them the section that references ICC 500. The city of Phil Campbell, Alabama, wants new shelters to be built to ICC 500. The Code Council is a member of the Build Strong Coalition supporting the Safe Building Code Incentive Act of 2009. The Coalition recently submitted testimony to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee. The subcommittee hearing was on reauthorization of FEMA and focused on recovery from disasters managed by FEMA. The testimony on behalf of the Build Strong coalition focused on the need for strong building codes and enforcement, and referenced HR 2069, which would reward states that have adopted and enforced current commercial and residential building codes with a five-percent increase in post-disaster mitigation funding. More information about HR 2069 and a link to a letter that can be sent directly to Members of Congress, can be found on ICC's Legislative Issues webpage: www.iccsafe.org/leginfo. While the Community Building Code Grant legislation expired at the end of the 111th Congress in December 2010, we have worked with the remaining House co-sponsor, U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) to include language in the pending National Flood Insurance Program re-authorization, HR 1309. The bill recently passed the House. This bill would provide funding to local building code enforcement and administration departments which serve areas that have been affected by flooding. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Code Council CEO Rick Weiland sent a letter to Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) thanking him for his past support of our code grant bill and urging the Senator to support the passage of HR 1309. The Department of Energy published a final Federal Rule to update baseline energy efficiency standards for all new federal buildings, both residential and commercial. The new baseline residential energy standard is the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, and the baseline commercial standard is ASHRAE 90.1. The new baseline standards go into effect October 11. On July 20, we filed a formal letter with the National Institute of Standards and Technology providing comments for the benefit of the newly formed National Construction Safety Team established to examine the Joplin, Missopuri, tornado that occurred in May. The Code Council's comments focused on the value of building codes and the availability of the ICC 500 Storm Shelter standard in providing additional protection in tornado/high-wind areas. Code Council Government Relations staff joined the ANSI Electric Vehicle Standards Panel, a newly formed entity to examine standards and code issues related to recharging stations for electric vehicles. The joint entity also will determine where new standards are needed or where more coordination is needed among standards, developers, model code organizations and the government. In July, HR 2444 was introduced to advance Indian Self Determination by Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK). Code Council Government Relations staff are working with the sponsor's office to resolve conflicts in the existing bill language. The Government Relations Federal staff are working with the Government Relations regional managers to coordinate our efforts affecting American Native tribal nations. The International Green Construction Code continues to generate attention and interest. Government Relations staff participated in discussions and conducted several presentations in Boston, Maryland; Long Island, New York; Detroit, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Bellingham, Washington; the District of Columbia; and the states Ohio and Alabama. If interested in learning more about ICC Government Relations Department activities, please contact Government Relations Senior Vice President Sara Yerkes.