MADISON, Wis. -- The state Legislature passed a bill Thursday that expands building code inspection to all new homes.

News 3 told you about Steve and Donna Reed in southwest Wisconsin whose builder left them with an unfinished home and, the Reeds say, plenty of building code violations.

Their home was never inspected because their tiny village opted out of state building code enforcement.

Under the new bill that's no longer possible. It mandates building code inspections on all new homes, no matter where they're built.

Assembly Bill 347 and Senate Bill 168, "Wisconsin's Home Safety Act," requires that all new one- and two-family homes built in the state be inspected for compliance with the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, regardless of the size of the community in which the homes are built.

Under the old law, communities with populations of less than 2,500 could choose not to have new residential construction inspected.

"(That) put thousands of families at risk each year because the lack of inspections threatens property value, insurance rates, the environment and, most notably, safety," said Wisconsin Builders Association President Jack Sjostrom. ( Read More )

All you needed to build somebody a house is $40 and proof you have liability insurance, News 3 reported. Sometimes, you didn't even need that. Many serious -- and costly -- problems have been attributed to insufficient inspections. ( Read More )

In some cases, builders have left homes unfinished, increased building costs and left consumers with unsafe living conditions.

"(The lawl) would lead to about 10 to 20 visits on-site by building inspectors dealing with plumbing, electrical and construction itself ... at a cost of about $400," said Rep. Tom Hebl, D-Sun Prairie.

That average cost would be paid for by the builders through higher builder permits, Hebl told News 3.

Assembly Bill 347 (pdf)
Senate Bill 168 (pdf)