Jim Costa
10/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/03/2024 10:40
Rep. Jim Costa Unveils Bold New Legislation to Strengthen Local Building Code Enforcement and Public Health Safety
FRESNO, Calif. - In an effort to strengthen public health and safety, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) introduced legislation to improve training for local building code enforcement officers. This legislation builds on Costa's previous efforts to enhance local safety measures, following the discovery of an illegal biolab in Reedley, California.
"The illegal lab uncovered in Reedley underscores a pressing need to bolster our local building code enforcement capabilities in addressing public health risks," said Rep. Jim Costa. "My legislation would deploy vital resources to train local code enforcement officers, ensuring they are prepared to identify and address potential hazards effectively. This work is essential to protecting our communities."
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
"The events that unfolded in the small rural city of Reedley, CA, prove that a loophole does exist in current law, and that a potential biosafety disaster can be lurking in any community within our country. Congressman Costa jumped into action quicky to help our city and avert a public health crisis in Reedley, and we are forever grateful for his leadership on this issue. This country needs modern, common-sense legislation to protect all communities from a situation like the one in Reedley," said Nicole Zieba, Reedley City Manager.
"Fresno County is proud of its partnership with the City of Reedley and Congressman Jim Costa on addressing unregulated labs statewide and throughout the nation. This proposed legislation brings us closer to addressing national biosecurity vulnerabilities identified by local public health jurisdictions," said Joe Prado, Assistant Director of Public Health in Fresno County.
BACKGROUND
In 2023, Jessalyn Harper, a local code enforcement officer in Reedley, California, found an illegal biolab at the center of the community after she identified a building code violation. This incident underscored the critical need for enhanced training and resources for building code enforcement officers to identify and manage such threats effectively.
Costa's H.R.9305 would address these gaps by creating a federal grant program to create specialized training for code enforcement officers, focusing on public health threats linked to building code violations. This legislation would encourage local governments to collaborate on training efforts, develop safety protocols, and improve building code enforcement. Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) cosponsored the legislation.
This legislation builds on Costa's first bill, Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act, which would mandate that sellers of highly infectious agents implement a tracking system for all transactions, ensuring detailed sale records are maintained for a minimum of five years to enhance public safety measures. Combined both bills would close loopholes and ensure that local agencies have the tools needed to protect public well-being.
The text of the bill is available HERE.
"The illegal lab uncovered in Reedley underscores a pressing need to bolster our local building code enforcement capabilities in addressing public health risks," said Rep. Jim Costa. "My legislation would deploy vital resources to train local code enforcement officers, ensuring they are prepared to identify and address potential hazards effectively. This work is essential to protecting our communities."
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
"The events that unfolded in the small rural city of Reedley, CA, prove that a loophole does exist in current law, and that a potential biosafety disaster can be lurking in any community within our country. Congressman Costa jumped into action quicky to help our city and avert a public health crisis in Reedley, and we are forever grateful for his leadership on this issue. This country needs modern, common-sense legislation to protect all communities from a situation like the one in Reedley," said Nicole Zieba, Reedley City Manager.
"Fresno County is proud of its partnership with the City of Reedley and Congressman Jim Costa on addressing unregulated labs statewide and throughout the nation. This proposed legislation brings us closer to addressing national biosecurity vulnerabilities identified by local public health jurisdictions," said Joe Prado, Assistant Director of Public Health in Fresno County.
BACKGROUND
In 2023, Jessalyn Harper, a local code enforcement officer in Reedley, California, found an illegal biolab at the center of the community after she identified a building code violation. This incident underscored the critical need for enhanced training and resources for building code enforcement officers to identify and manage such threats effectively.
Costa's H.R.9305 would address these gaps by creating a federal grant program to create specialized training for code enforcement officers, focusing on public health threats linked to building code violations. This legislation would encourage local governments to collaborate on training efforts, develop safety protocols, and improve building code enforcement. Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) cosponsored the legislation.
This legislation builds on Costa's first bill, Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act, which would mandate that sellers of highly infectious agents implement a tracking system for all transactions, ensuring detailed sale records are maintained for a minimum of five years to enhance public safety measures. Combined both bills would close loopholes and ensure that local agencies have the tools needed to protect public well-being.
The text of the bill is available HERE.