This bill modifies FEMA predisaster mitigation programs related to building codes, specifying that the two most recent code editions qualify for assistance. It removes building code activities from STRLF loans and creates a pilot program for residential resilience retrofits through 2030.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill modifies FEMA predisaster mitigation programs related to building codes, specifying that the two most recent code editions qualify for assistance. It removes building code activities from STRLF loans and creates a pilot program for residential resilience retrofits through 2030.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Promoting Resilient Buildings Act</strong></p><p>This bill increases flexibility for predisaster mitigation assistance for building code activities, prohibits using certain loan funds for building code activities, and establishes a pilot program to fund residential resilience retrofits.</p><p>Under current law, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may provide predisaster hazard mitigation assistance to government entities for implementing the latest published editions of relevant building codes and standards. Also, FEMA must consider a government entity’s adoption of such building codes when determining whether to award it predisaster hazard mitigation assistance. The bill specifies that the building codes applicable in such instances are the two most recently published editions (i.e., either the current edition or the previous one).</p><p>Also, currently, under FEMA's Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (STRLF) program, states and Indian tribal governments may provide loans to local governments for establishing and carrying out building codes and standards. The bill removes this authority, so STRLF loans may not be used for such building code-related activities.</p><p>Additionally, the bill establishes a pilot program for FEMA to provide grants to government entities that then provide the funding to individuals for residential resilience retrofits. The retrofit projects must reduce risk to homes from local natural hazards and individuals must demonstrate financial need. To implement the pilot program, FEMA may use up to 10% of the funds FEMA provides annually for predisaster hazard mitigation assistance. The pilot program terminates at the end of FY2030. </p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Allows either of two most recent building code editions for FEMA assistance
Creates pilot program for residential resilience retrofits
Provides grants to individuals for home hazard reduction
Removes building code activities from STRLF loans
Pilot program runs through FY2030
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Homeowners could receive grants to make their homes more resistant to local natural hazards. Communities would have more flexibility in which building code edition they adopt to qualify for FEMA predisaster mitigation assistance.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Emergency Management
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
388, 119th Congress (2025). "Promoting Resilient Buildings Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-388
