By: Mike Vasilinda | Capitol News Service
June 20, 2017
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — Legislation proposing major changes to Florida’s building code was bundled with more than a dozen other changes in construction law during the 2017 legislative session. A coalition of building officials and insurance interests fear the legislation could lead to a patchwork of requirements and higher insurance costs.
House Bill 1021 is awaiting Governor Rick Scott’s signature. The Florida Homebuilders Association pushed for the legislation, which they say streamlines future changes to the building code.
“It doesn’t weaken the code in any shape, form, or fashion. All it does is change the process by which we adopt future changes,” says CEO Rusty Payton.
The legislation would allow the state to pick and choose which new items it wants to add from the code. Building officials and insurance interests call it a disaster waiting to happen.
“If it becomes law, it will take Florida back to a system that led to death, billion dollar losses, and certain destruction,” says Leslie Chapman-Henderson of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.