PCI Urges La. Governor to Sign Building Codes Legislation

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) announced it is urging Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco to sign SB 44, legislation that would create a mandatory and uniform statewide building code. The bill is on its way to the governor after its final passage in the Legislature.

“Louisiana lawmakers have answered the calls of their citizens and recognized that they had one shot to get it right,” said Greg LaCost, assistant vice president, regional manager and counsel for PCI. “We now urge Gov. Blanco to follow the steps of her state’s legislators and sign the legislation that will ensure Louisiana will be built stronger and more structurally resistant to natural and man-made disasters.”

As a part of the coalition of Constructing a Stronger Louisiana, PCI has been instrumental in working with state lawmakers in crafting meaningful building codes legislation. And while Louisiana is currently at the center of the building codes debate, PCI is urging the federal government to support the implementation and enforcement of state building codes programs to ensure that the next hurricane will not cause the same or increased damage and loss of lives in Louisiana and other states.

While several last minute amendments were added to the bill, PCI still continues to support the legislation. One particular amendment that PCI did not support was one making the effective date for implementation of the codes in the non coastal areas on Jan. 1, 2007 – six or seven months longer than PCI had proposed.

“We are pleased by the attention that Louisiana lawmakers have given to the creation and passage of this legislation,” added LaCost. “Stronger building codes result in the construction of safe and durable structures which will reduce economic losses to homes, businesses and cities and, more importantly, they will save lives.”

The bill passed the Senate late last week and the House on Nov. 22. Due to the amendments, this bill went back to the Senate for confirmation, and is now on its way to the Governor where it is expected to be signed.