Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) introduced the Safe Building Code Incentive Act of 2013 (H.R. 1878) to the House on May 9, 2013. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the Safe Building Code Incentive Act (S. 905, S. 924) to the Senate on May 8 and 9, 2013, respectively.

The bill incentivizes the states to adopt and enforce nationally recognized building codes by offering an additional 4 percent in disaster grant funding. Diaz-Balart said that implementation of these codes would promote construction better designed to withstand natural disasters.

The BuildStrong Coalition lobbied lawmakers in support of the bill citing the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy last October.