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Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2025
10/11/2025, 7:26 PM
Summary of Bill HR 501
One key aspect of the bill is the requirement for states and localities to adopt and enforce the latest model building codes in order to receive federal disaster recovery funding. This is intended to ensure that buildings and infrastructure in disaster-prone areas are built to withstand future disasters, reducing the risk of damage and loss of life.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions to streamline the process for obtaining disaster assistance, making it easier for individuals and communities to access the resources they need to recover from disasters. It also aims to improve coordination between federal, state, and local agencies involved in disaster recovery efforts. Overall, Bill 119 HR 501 seeks to enhance the resilience of communities in the face of natural disasters by strengthening building codes and improving the efficiency of disaster recovery efforts.
Congressional Summary of HR 501
Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2025
This bill amends the authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) programs regarding building codes, including authorizing funding to implement the two most recent editions of building codes, and establishes a pilot program for residential resilience retrofits under the BRIC program.
Under current law, funding provided under the BRIC and Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF programs may be used to establish and carry out the latest published editions of building codes and standards. The bill authorizes the BRIC program to fund carrying out the latest two published editions (i.e., either the current edition of a code or the previous edition) and requires BRIC to consider adoption of the latest two editions when determining whether to provide assistance. The bill also authorizes the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program to fund implementation of the latest two published editions of building codes and allows for jurisdictions to amend such codes.
Additionally, the bill establishes under the BRIC program a pilot program for states and local governments to provide grants to individuals for residential resilience retrofits (i.e., projects that increase a home’s resilience to natural hazards). To provide this assistance, FEMA may use up to 10 percent of the assistance made available to BRIC applicants annually. The pilot program terminates at the end of FY2028.
