Oklahoma § 36-972 - Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) Program

§ 36-972. Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) Program

A. There is hereby established within the Department of

Insurance the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) Program, to continue

until November 1, 2027.

B. This act does not create an entitlement for property owners

or obligate the state in any way to fund the inspection,

construction, or retrofitting of residential property in this state.

Implementation of the SOH Program is subject to the receipt of

federal grants or funds or from other sources of grants or funds.

The Department shall use its best efforts to obtain grants or funds

from the federal government or other funding sources to supplement

the financial resources of the SOH Program that may be provided by

the state.

C. The SOH Program shall apply for financial grants to

construct or retrofit insurable property as defined in Section 963

of Title 36 of the Oklahoma Statutes to resist loss due to a tornado

or other catastrophic windstorm events or hail as prescribed in

subsection B of Section 962 of Title 36 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

D. The SOH Program may also make grants or funding available to

nonprofit entities for projects to construct or retrofit insurable

properties to resist loss due to tornado or other catastrophic

windstorm events or hail if such grants or funding to nonprofit

entities are allowable under grant or funding rules, requirements,

guidelines, or criteria. However, a nonprofit entity shall agree to

administer the grants or funds as the SOH Program would be required

to administer grants or funds, and the entity shall provide

documentation to the Department in a timely manner as requested by

the Department.

E. All mitigation shall be based upon the securing of all

required local permits and applicable inspections in keeping with

local building codes and the Insurance Institute for Business and

Home Safety (IBHS) Fortified Homes Program. Mitigation projects are

subject to random reinspection of all projects.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 36. Insurance

F. The Insurance Commissioner may promulgate rules and

eligibility requirements necessary for the proper administration of

this act and pursuant to any instructions or requirements on grants

or funds received by the Department for the SOH Program.

Added by Laws 2024, c. 293, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2024.