lorida has one the strongest building codes in the country when it comes to protection from hurricane-force winds. But it is worth noting that the code sets the threshold, not the pinnacle, for building safety. That is, the state's building code is the minimum acceptable safety standard for hurricane resistance. That leaves much room for strengthening homes and increasing their wind resistance. Appropriately enough, this year the Legislature began offering homeowners some financial help to do just that.

The code's wind-borne debris rules require doors that can withstand 120-mph winds and hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows for new construction along the coast and extending several miles inland. But a Legislature-approved loophole lets the Panhandle opt out of that mandate.

Last month the Florida Building Commission, which oversees rule-making for the statewide building code, voted 11-9 not to close the loophole. That's inexcusable. The commission says in its defense that it adopted a compromise earlier this year that extends the wind-borne debris rules to cover 85 percent of new construction in the Panhandle. When the commission takes up this issue again next year it should close the loophole entirely. And, failing that, the Legislature should revisit the issue.

Beyond the basic safety issue, the risk is that the loophole could aggravate the windstorm-insurance crisis by causing insurers to drop homeowners in the Panhandle and increase reinsurers' reluctance to stay in Florida.

Meantime, the fact that the state code sets minimum safety standards should be an incentive for property owners to strengthen buildings, particularly those built before the new code took effect in 2001. Of course, that covers the majority of structures in Florida, though it is worth noting that Broward and Miami-Dade counties wrote tougher construction rules after Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992. A bigger incentive, though, is that mitigation -- installing hurricane straps, impact- resistant doors and windows and shutters -- can lower insurance rates.

The state is now helping homeowners thanks to an enlightened program approved by the 2006 Legislture that will give residents matching grants to strengthen their homes. The $250 million program began in August and has been augmented by $100 million in federal dollars.

Residents can apply for up to $5,000 in grant money. The response, say state officials, has been quick and enthusiastic. Gov. Jeb Bush said that he would like to the program funded annually, and we agree. Mitigation could help solve the windstorm insurance crisis. The program is the most sensible step the Legislature has taken on hurricane safety since approving the new building code five years ago.

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