BUILDING CODES: Provides relative to allowing municipalities or parishes to adopt certain construction standards

HB 461 allows Louisiana municipalities and parishes to voluntarily adopt FORTIFIED Home™ construction standards for new or significantly renovated residential properties (replacing 50%+ of roof area). It does not require local governments to implement these standards, only permits them to do so via local ordinance. If adopted, the ordinance must require verification by an IBHS-certified evaluator before a building permit is issued, and the local government must notify the state construction code council 60 days in advance. This bill directly affects homeowners and builders in communities that choose to implement the optional standards, with no impact on areas that do not adopt them.