Building Codes Assistance Project

On July 9, 2008, the Community Building Code Administration Grant (CBCAG) Act (HR 4461/ SB 2458) was passed in the US House of Representatives by a voice vote. The legislation would require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award grants, on a competitive basis and with federal matching funds, to qualified local building code enforcement departments to increase staffing, provide staff training, increase staff competence and professional qualifications, support individual certification or departmental accreditation, or for capital expenditures specifically dedicated to department administration. The bill and its senate counterpart would offer local governments a dedicated source of federal funding ($20 million a year for five years) for programs to promote effective administration of building and fire codes. This action underscores the need for increased code enforcement and compliance.

For more information, please visit the Library of Congress Legislative Information Website, Thomas.