H'cane Helene Bldg Code Window Exemption.

SB 602 would temporarily allow owners of commercial buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene to rebuild using the same fire-rated windows that were in place before the storm, instead of upgrading to current building code standards. It applies only to downtown commercial structures in counties declared disaster areas by the federal government, where reconstruction is limited to restoring the building to its pre-storm condition without expansion. Owners must submit a signed affidavit confirming eligibility and acknowledging the risks of not using upgraded windows, and the exemption expires two years after the bill takes effect. This exemption specifically covers window requirements but does not affect other building code provisions.