State Building Code Approved

From the The Daily News...

The Tennessee House has voted to approve Gov. Phil Bredesen’s proposal to impose a minimum residential building code across the state, but has included a provision to allow local governments to opt out of the standards.

Under a change adopted Thursday, local governments in the 60 counties that don’t currently have building codes would have to vote against participation on a two-thirds vote every four years.

The House voted 82-12 to approve the bill carried by Democratic Rep. Les Winningham of Huntsville.

The Senate previously passed the bill 28-1, but would have to agree to the opt-out provision before the measure could head for the Democratic governor’s signature.
The bill also creates a mechanism for distributing $99 million in federal stimulus money for weatherization projects at low-income homes.