BIA Advocacy Update

BIA advocates for the industry at the Capitol

Last week, BIA-RRV leadership and staff traveled to St. Paul to advocate for policies that support our industry and communities. Our conversations focused on key issues impacting building in greater Minnesota, including Paid Family and Medical Leave, housing legislation and the worker misclassification rule.

We had the opportunity to meet with several local legislators:

• Senator Rob Kupec (District 4)
• Senator Mark Johnson (District 1)
• Representative Jim Joy (District 4B)
• Senator Jordan Rasmusson (District 9)

We sincerely thank them for their time and commitment to Minnesota. 

These conversations are key to ensuring our industry voices are heard at the Capitol!

Pictured above (left to right): Bryce Johnson, BIA; Elizabeth Kosel, BIA; Trenton Gerads, Cass Clay Community Land Trust; Senator Rob Kupec and Adam Olson, Allstar Construction and BIA president. 

Above: BIA leadership and staff meeting with Senator Mark Johnson (far right)

BIA in the News

Your BIA has been active in the media recently, particularly with recent conversations surrounding tariffs and their impact on the building industry. While there have been many changes over the last few weeks, uncertainty remains. 

We'd like to thank BIA President Elect Shannon Roers Jones, ROERS, and Immediate Past President Bill Rothman, Kilbourne Group, for their leadership and taking the time to speak on this important topic. 

Above (left to right): Paul Jurgens, KFGO interviewing Bill Rothman, Kilbourne Group, Immediate Past President 

The most recent information according to the National Association of Home Builders, is that President Trump announced a 90-day pause on the reciprocal global tariffs that he called for on April 2, on April 9. Although the administration called for the expansion of domestic lumber production, there is still an anticipated rise in tariffs on Canadian lumber around September. The president also raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, which will have impacts given all the goods from China, including household appliances. 

Current countervailing and anti-dumping duties on Canadian lumber are at 14.5%, but the Commerce Department conducts annual reviews on these rates and has released a preliminary determination to bring that levy to 34.5%. NAHB anticipates the official determination to be released in the Federal Register this week, and a final review in August or September, with the higher rates taking effect then.

For more information from NAHB, click here.

BIA President Adam Olson, Allstar Construction, also recently had an interview on mental health in the construction industry. While mental health is a topic that’s critical to address in all industries, it is especially relevant in ours. The building industry comes with unique pressures: high-stress environments, demanding deadlines, and physically intensive work. These factors can take a significant toll on mental well-being, making it all the more important that we keep the conversation going. Your builders association offers many resources and we encourage you to check out the resources available to you through NAHB: https://www.nahb.org/advocacy/industry-issues/safety-and-health/mental-wellbeing. 

Upcoming events to meet with local officials

The Association is hosting events in April to give members an opportunity to meet with local officials, allowing for information to be learned and questions to be asked.

April 23 is a Building Industry Connect featuring Horace. We'll discuss their Downtown Neighborhood Plan, building activity and more. Register here. 

April 30 is our annual Building Officials Roundtable where we'll hear updates and reminders from our local building officials. Register here. 

For both events, please contact Elizabeth Kosel, elizabeth@buildrrv.org or (701) 232-5846 with questions. 

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Construction Codes and Licensing Division Update

Click here to read the update. It includes information regarding

• Adult-sized changing facilities and window cleaning safety features 
• The updated misclassification law 
• Electrical licensing requirements for HVAC, water heater replacements 
• and more.