HBA Advocacy Update

2023 North Dakota Legislative Wrap-Up

Join us and the FMWF Chamber 4-5:30 p.m. June 13 for a wrap-up of the North Dakota legislative session. 

The following legislators will be in attendance:

Senator Ron Sorvaag
Senator Kathy Hogan
Senator Kristin Roers
Representative Steve Swiontek
Representative Josh Boschee
Representative Austen Schauer

Virtual and in-person options are available. 

Please click here to register! 

Location: FMWF Chamber Community Room, 3312 42nd St S Suite 101 Fargo.

HBA of F-M is a co-host of this terrific event! 

Building Industry Connect with Mayor Mahoney

May 17, we welcomed Mayor Mahoney as our guest for Building Industry Connect. A great discussion was had surrounding flood proof basements, special assessments, Fargo's growth and more.

Thank you to everyone that came! 

Minnesota Legislature

The Minnesota Legislative Session ended May 22, 2023. 

Here are some updates on bills pertaining to the industry:

SF3035; Article 10 Construction Worker Wage Protections

The Omnibus Jobs, Economic Development, Labor, and Industry appropriations bill passed the legislature and was recently signed by Gov. Walz on May 24. 

Builders Association of Minnesota and HBA of F-M were opposed to the addition of an article which negatively impacts the relationship between contractors and subcontractors.

Essentially, it would hold a general contractor as liable as the subcontractor for any unpaid wages, fringe benefits, penalties, and liquidated damages and compel businesses to audit and review subcontractors' records to confirm payment of wages. This was ultimately included under Article 10: Construction Worker Wage Protections.

Read the bill here. 

HF2 Paid Family and Medical Leave 

Minnesota has joined California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Washington, D.C. in passing a state paid family and medical leave program.  

Though well intended, it could have detrimental impacts for our industry that is already so desperately in need of workers. That is why the Builders Association of Minnesota and HBA of F-M were opposed. 

With many amendments made, an individual can take up to 12 weeks of paid time off for a medical condition or pregnancy or to care for a family member, with a maximum of 20 weeks in one year.

The program will begin Jan. 1, 2026.

There are exemptions for seasonal employees and assistance for small businesses.

Click here to read the bill. 

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry shares Legislative Session Summary

To read the results of priorities this session, click here. 

North Dakota Legislative Management Committee

HBA of F-M sent a letter encouraging the legislative management committee members to select the study outlined in SB 2170 as one to look at in the 2023-2024 interim. It would consider the advantages and disadvantages of creating a state office of apprenticeship and areas where there can be greater flexibility surrounding minors ages 16 and older on the jobsite. NDAB testified in support of its selection on May 25. 

The committee ultimately selected the study in SB2170 as a priority in the interim session. 

Click here to read the letter. 

Click here to read the bill. 

National Association of Home Builders News

Government plan to adopt latest energy codes a blow to housing affordability

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are proposing to increase the stringency of energy codes for the new construction of HUD-insured and USDA-insured housing. 

Currently, builders constructing new single-family and multifamily housing using this government financing must conform to the 2009 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code for single-family/low-rise buildings and the 2007 edition of ASHRAE 90.1 for multifamily buildings with four or more stories.

The Biden administration is proposing that the new construction of homes under certain federally financed programs leapfrogs several code iterations and adopts the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 codes.

To read the entire article, click here.