Louisiana: Special Session Handles Multiple Building Code Bills, FEMA Sets New Standards

During the first days of the Louisiana Extraordinary Session that began Feb. 9, the legislature took quick action on several bills dealing with the statewide uniform building code legislation passed in the November 2005 Extraordinary Session (Act 12 – HB 44).

Bills in the House and Senate, HB 23 and SB 6 that would have delayed the effective date for the emergency provisions in Act 12 from February 2006 to June 2006, were both "returned to the calendar - subject to call" on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The action means that both measures have been ruled "not germane" to the call of the special session and will not receive committee hearings.

Additionally on Wednesday, HB 5 unanimously passed out of the House Commerce Committee. The bill authorizes state-licensed contractors to approve plans for rebuilding homes and make mandatory construction inspections under the state's new building code enacted via the emergency provisions of Act 12. Those emergency provisions encompass the 11 parishes hit hardest by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita – Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Vermilion, St. Tammany, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Lafourche and Terrebonne. The bill does prohibit contractors from reviewing plans or making inspection for their own construction projects. Legislators representing those hurricane-impacted areas stated the bill is needed to help parishes find or hire qualified inspectors, state-licensed engineers or architects to begin enforcing the new code.

Louisiana's Extraordinary Session must adjourn no later than 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17.

Last week, FEMA was also active on the issue of building codes affecting Louisiana. FEMA announced communities on the Gulf Coast will not be eligible for federal funds for hurricane reconstruction projects unless they comply with stricter elevation rules. On Monday, Feb. 6, FEMA declared such grants will be tied to the new standards, which are based on updated flood risk data. The rebuilding standards, known as Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs), are not only higher than previous flood elevation requirements but also extend beyond the special flood areas on the existing maps.

Private homeowners, however, are not included by the new policy unless they apply for a FEMA grant to rebuild.

Direct questions to NAMIC State Affairs Manager Tami Stanton.

Posted: Monday, February 13, 2006 12:00:00 AM. Modified: Monday, February 13, 2006 10:32:26 AM.

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