Diaz-Balart Praises Senator Menendez for Introducing the Safe Building Codes Incentives Act in the Senate

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement in response to Senator Bob Menendez’ (D-NJ) introduction of S.3694, the Senate companion bill to The Safe Building Codes Incentives Act, originally sponsored by Congressman Diaz-Balart.

“I applaud Senator Menendez for his efforts to introduce The Safe Building Codes Incentives Act in the Senate. S.3694 creates a financial incentive for states to adopt and enforce statewide building codes that would protect communities in the event of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fire, and other natural disasters. States that enact comprehensive building codes will qualify for an additional four percent of funding for disaster relief. The version Senator Menendez introduced applies this incentive retroactively to include those affected when Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of the Eastern Seaboard in late October.

“This is the right approach that we must take when dealing with natural disasters. By doing so, we can encourage states to be proactive and have stronger building codes. Ultimately, the goal is to save money, and more importantly, to save lives.”