The International Residential Code -- which governs how homes are built in Pennsylvania -- contains a new requirement for attaching the top of a house foundation to the floor framing system.  Anchor bolts are now required to be installed along the foundation and are estimated to increase the cost of an average sized single family home by up to $3,000.

"This mandate should apply to states affected by hurricanes and earthquakes, not Pennsylvania," said Sen. Regola.  "Pennsylvania has not had a documented case of failure under the previous wall bracing standards.  The legislation I am sponsoring, Senate Bill 437, would repeal the new mandate and reinstate the previous standards."

"While we must ensure that homes are built safe, government should not impose unnecessary costs," said Regola.  "This top-down, one-size-fits-all mandate is unneeded and simply unaffordable.  That is why I am working with colleagues and interested citizens in reforming the Uniform Construction Code to ensure that there are commonsense standards for construction, without burdening homeowners and businesses."

Senate Bill 437 now goes to the full Senate for its consideration.

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