Public Policy
IBHS is an applied research and communications organization with expertise in a variety of mitigation-related public policy areas.
As a result, IBHS studies and educational materials are regularly referenced by loss prevention and reduction advocates in public policy debates around the country. The Institute’s work also is routinely relied upon by public policymakers at the local, state and national levels. Because IBHS is a non-profit organization, the Institute’s direct participation in lobbying activities is extremely limited and consistent with Internal Revenue Code rules. Within this context, IBHS representatives may testify at legislative hearings at the request of Congressional or state legislative committees.
Protecting Maryland Building Codes Makes Good Fiscal Sense
Governor’s signing of a new law on May 16 prohibits weakening of wind provisions in Maryland building codes.
Coalition Encourages Building Stronger in Face of Disasters
BuildStrong Coalition highlights importance of creating safer, stronger communities.
IAFC and IBHS Urge Congress to Enact Federal Building Code Measure
Measure provides financial incentives for states to adopt and enforce strong building codes.
IBHS Urges House Subcommittee to Pass Safe Building Code Incentive Act
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) provided compelling testimony on July 24, 2012 before the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management in support of the “Safe Building Code Incentive Act” (HR 2069).
Federal Legislation Introduced in Support of Mitigation
The Safe Building Code Incentive Act (H.R. 2069) was recently introduced by Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Albio Sires (D-NJ) and Richard Hanna (R-NY). The bill would provide additional post-disaster relief in the aftermath of a severe storm for those states with strong statewide building codes. Specifically, H.R. 2069 would create a financial incentive for states [...]
Mitigation Matters
Congress has an important role to play in helping our nation prepare for and respond to natural disasters. Every region of our country is vulnerable to one or more devastating risks, such as tornadoes, hur¬ricanes, earthquakes, floods, hailstorms, ice and snow, and wildfires. By helping individuals, businesses, and communities take protective action before disaster strikes, [...]
Recommendations for Congress
The United States faces multiple natural and man-made disaster threats, including wildfire, high wind events, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, earthquakes, hail, ice and snow, terrorism and human error. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) goal is to assist in creating an integrated national mitigation strategy that recognizes the uniquely destructive attributes [...]
IBHS Proposal Gains Approval At Building Code Hearings
IBHS’ recommendation to remove straw bale construction from the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) will be considered for final approval. IBHS Director of Code Development Wanda Edwards recently attended hearings regarding changes to the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) held May 16-22 in Dallas, Texas. The IGCC is applicable to the construction of commercial buildings, [...]
IBHS Authors Research Validation Papers at International Conference
IBHS submitted two papers in May to the International Conference on Wind Engineering (ICWE13), which was held in The Netherlands in July 2011. The IBHS papers focused on the wind flow and pressure validation testing done during the commissioning process at the IBHS Research Center. The conference, which is held once every four years, gathers [...]
