The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday to provide financial grants to construct or retrofit homes against the destructive forces of tornadoes, windstorms, and hail.

Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Tulsa, authored House Bill 3089, which would establish the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act within the Department of Insurance. It would make grants available to residential property owners with insurable property who reside in an approved county, meet certain home conditions, and own an owner-occupied, single-family residence.

"This legislation will not immediately impact premiums," Tedford said. "States that have encouraged using weather-resistant materials have observed stabilizing their property market and reducing homeowners' rates. As a result, I am enthusiastic about the aid this program will provide to homeowners in Oklahoma."

HB3089 would establish a grant program to assist homeowners in reinforcing their roofs with impact-resistant materials that meet the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) fortified standards. These funds will enable consumers to construct or retrofit their homes with impact-resistant shingles and other enhancements.

Under the measure, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to lower-income applicants and applicants who live in areas more prone to catastrophic weather. The property owner must hire an approved evaluator to prequalify the property, obtain bids from at least three approved contractors, and follow specific retrofitting standards.

HB3089 passed the floor 88 – 4 and is now available to be heard in the Senate, where Sen. Pemberton, R-Muskogee, authors it.