HBA Advocacy Update

Welcome, Spring! Stormwater Reminders

Click here to brush up on state guidelines and reminders on proper stormwater management from each local city. 

HBA members head to Minnesota State Capitol

HBA members and staff visited the Capitol on March 8 to discuss issues related to our industry. They met with Dist. 4 Senator Kupec, Dist. 9 Senator Rasmusson, Dist. 1 Senator Johnson, and Dist. 4B Representative Joy.

Legislation discussed:

• HF/SF 2, Paid Leave - Oppose
• SF1988/HF1859, New Wage Theft Requirements (shifting liability to general contractors and project owners) - Oppose
• SF1177, Expanding Workforce Scholarships in Higher Education - Support
• SF22/HF12, First-Generation Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance Fund - Support

Left to Right: Elizabeth Kosel (HBA of F-M), Sam McDonald, Trent Gerads (both Cass Clay Community Land Trust), Mike Lemke (Lemke Home Improvements), Bryce Johnson (HBA of F-M) and Toby Christensen (Camrud-Foss Concrete Construction).

HB1019: Career and Technical Education Funding

HBA of F-M submitted testimony in support of HB1019 which relates to Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding. Given the need for skilled workforce, we are in favor of maintaining and growing these programs throughout North Dakota. 

This bill was passed in the North Dakota House, 90-3. It was recently heard by the Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division.

Read our letter here. 

News from NAHB

Builders speak out against proposed transformer rule

At an energy teleconference hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, builders and members of utility organizations voiced their concerns regarding the Department of Energy's proposed rule to regulate energy conservation standards for distribution transformers. 

The rule would force manufacturers to increase distribution transformer efficiency by one tenth of a percentage point. This would require manufacturers to use a different type of steel that would add additional time to an already lengthy wait time (roughly 16 months to produce and deploy). 

Click here to read the article. 

President Biden unveils 2024 budget proposal

As part of the proposal, it would "allocate $73.3 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development — a $1.1 billion increase, or a 1.6% jump, from the 2023 enacted level."

For more details, read the article here.

Waters of the U.S.

NAHB is urging you to reach out to your U.S. Senators and ask they vote yes on H.J Res 27.

Click here for more information. 

Follow this link to send a message to your Senators. 

North Dakota: Senators Cramer and Hoeven.

Minnesota: Senators Klobuchar and Smith.

The House of Representatives voted to repeal President Biden's Waters of the U.S. rule. Now the Senate needs to know why a clear and predictable rule is important.