NEFBA members can be proud of the accomplishments of our state association, the Florida Home Builders Association. As our parent association, the FHBA has demonstrated the difference a strong voice makes in policy decisions.
“Early in the year, FHBA set goals for the current legislative session,” said Barbara Moore, NEFBA president and division president of Lennar Homes. “At the conclusion of the session, their success is pretty remarkable.”
Moore said members should pay particular attention to the fact that the legislative goals the builders achieved save members an estimated $805 in what would have been added fees and costs.
Chris Hagan, NEFBA’s governmental affairs director, said it’s been a challenging year and the legislature acted on a number of bills affecting builders and the construction industry.
“The builders’ success this year underscores the importance of membership,” Hagan said. “The strength of our association is our members, and the more members we have the stronger our voice. It’s more than a numbers game, though. We want members who understand the importance of standing up for what’s right and fair, and who are willing to exert some effort to get results.”
A review of a few of the priorities FHBA set prior to the 2012 session of the Florida Legislature compared to the final votes on bills reflecting those priorities shows just how successful our combined Florida builders associations were.
Priority 1, for example, supported a cost-effective, local-option septic tank inspection program. Without a state standard, some homeowners would be subject to potentially oppressive local rules. SB820 by Sen. Dean and HB 999 by Rep. Dorworth established reasonable standards for inspections that protect homeowners and the environment.
Priority 5 sought to provide funding for building code education on the premise that such education increases code compliance and better protects the health and safety of the public. HB 0651 by Rep. Daniel Davis (NEFBA’s Executive Director) and SB 0704 by Sen. Bennett allocate funds for educational initiatives.
Priority 8 asked for measures to lower workers compensation rates for Florida contractors and trade professionals. Bills introduced by Rep. Hudson (HB 0511) and Sen. Hays (SB0668) revised the requirements for determining reimbursements for repackaged or relabeled prescription medications to help keep workers comp rates comparable to other states.
FHBA’s legislative victories and their estimated value in the eyes of the members are based on new laws or state budget items that:
• Changes the definition of a bedroom to avoid needless re-sizing of a septic tank and drain field. ($50)
• Removes the requirement that a septic tank on abandoned property be automatically updated. ($50)
• Funds seven free hours of continuing education on building code training. ($175)
• Funds a septic tank study that preempts a mandate for more elaborate systems estimated to cost as much as $10,000 per unit. ($50)
• Limits the implied warranty statute to the structure of a home, as opposed to the home’s infrastructure, which could save thousands of dollars of liability insurance for developers. ($50)
• Extends the life of building permits to save builders/remodelers thousands of dollars in fees. ($25)
• Standardizes Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) environmental resource permit. ($10)
• Restricts metal recycling to reduce metal theft. ($50)
• Adopts state rules on EPA-mandated numeric nutrient standards, saving developers thousands of dollars in development costs. ($100)
• Changes the state condominium law to remove restrictions on bulk sales. ($10)
• Limits the proposed rate increase in unemployment compensation. ($200)
• Grandfathers licensed contractors as home inspectors. ($10)
For more information on these legislative victories, visit www.fhba.com.