Oklahoma Lawmakers Pass Law on Resilient, More Durable Construction

Oklahoma lawmakers recently passed a law to make their communities safer by enacting House Bill 1720, legislation that provides a discount on homeowners’ insurance for those who build their homes to the Fortified building standard using tornado-resistant construction materials, like concrete. The legislation joins the efforts of other extreme weather-prone states, including Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and North Carolina, which encourage resilient construction with a tax credit and/or an insurance rebate.

After U.S. property insurers were stuck with the most expensive first quarter in 20 years due to exceptionally harsh and costly weather events, passage of this incentive will save lives and reduce property damage for one of the most disaster-prone states in the U.S. On May 31, Governor Mary Fallin signed the bill into law at the behest of NRMCA, the Oklahoma Ready Mixed Concrete Association and Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak, who called for the passage of the legislation. This presents a major win for NRMCA members and Oklahoma citizens, who can now access lower insurance rates if they build to a higher construction standard in order to mitigate the damage from natural disasters.

Through the Build with Strength initiative, NRMCA has resources to help members and state affiliates advocate for resilient and safer construction, including model legislation, talking points, public relations and other key strategies.