On December 7, the White House sent Congress its requested amount for federal funding to address the path of destruction left by Hurricane Sandy. While the request totaled $60.4 billion, of even greater importance is the White House’s request that the federal assistance also be used "...to prevent losses of this magnitude from future disasters as well as ensuring that funds are used most effectively and on appropriate activities with proper spending controls." 

NRMCA is conveying to Congress that the answer to these principles is H.R. 5839, the Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act. Along with a disaster relief bill, members of Congress from New Jersey and New York are frantically working to put together legislation that allows for tax breaks for Sandy victims. Between the Sandy relief bill, and the NJ/NY tax measures bill there are ample opportunities for H.R. 5839 to hitch a ride to passage. While movement of these measures remains fluid, H.R. 5839 in the context of Sandy relief efforts is gaining much support. 

However, in order to heighten the importance of this message and H.R. 5839, the Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act, Congress needs to hear from NRMCA member companies and individuals. Below is a sample e-mail to send to targeted members and/or their staff regarding H.R. 5839. The current Congressional targets are Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Representatives Dave Camp (R-04-MI), Lynn Jenkins (R-02-KS) and Robert Aderholt (R-04-AL).

For those who wish to call below are talking points for the conversation:

• Please include HR 5839, the Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act of 2012 as part of any disaster relief legislation;

• Disasters in the U.S., like Hurricane Sandy, are increasing in number and severity each year – at a major cost to federal government as disaster assistance is typically unfunded;

• Promoting resilient construction in disaster areas will ensure more homes and buildings are able to withstand future disasters;

• HR 5839 will help to save lives and taxpayers’ dollars; and

• Please consider HR 5839 as Congress moves forward with passing disaster relief.

Dear {INSERT SEN/REP NAME],

I am writing to ask for your support of The Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act (H.R. 5839), which offers a tax credit for contractors of up to $3,000 and $25,000 per structure, for residential and commercial construction, respectively, when the structure meets the 2009 or later International Building Code (published by the International Code Council©) and has received the designation from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety of FORTIFIED for Safer Living/Business. Structures would be eligible for the credit that are built within a federally declared disaster zone, up to two years following the occurrence of the disaster.

Disasters in the United States are increasing in number and severity each year – at a major cost to the federal government, as disaster assistance is typically unfunded. Once a disaster strikes, we are faced with the task of rebuilding our communities so Americans can regain some sense of normalcy. However, in this challenging economic climate, we cannot afford a complete rebuild every time a disaster strikes. Promoting resilient construction in disaster areas will ensure more homes and buildings are able to withstand future disasters, saving lives and taxpayers’ dollars, while ending the unsustainable practice of rebuilding structures in the same way, time after time.

The bill’s original sponsor was Representative Geoff Davis (R-04-KY) prior to his retirement, with Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-21-FL) as an original cosponsor. The bill’s cosponsors currently include Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-12-OH), Mike Ross (D-04-AR), Ben Chandler (D-06-KY), Rosa DeLauro (D-03-CT), John Larson (D-01-CT), Andy Harris (R-01-MD), David Rivera (R-25-FL), Allen West (R-22-FL), Kevin Yoder (R-03-KS) and Russ Carnahan (D-03-MO).

I look forward to your support of H.R. 5839 and hope you will consider helping to shepherd this legislation as part of disaster relief legislation or its inclusion in other tax related legislation slated to move this Congress. Thank you for helping to protect our nation’s citizens, homes, investments and our built environment.

Regards,

[INSERT COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL NAME]