By Jessie Spradley, NEFBA Government Affairs Director
When spring comes to Tallahassee, it brings with it not just warm weather and pollen, but also the buzz of legislators, lobbyists and reporters in town for Florida’s regular legislative session.
Starting March 3 and running until May 1, Florida’s session can be a chaotic time, and without solid representation, your issues can get lost in the mix.
To make sure construction-related issues stay on the minds of our local legislators, a group of NEFBA members and staff spent three days in Tallahassee participating in the Florida Home Builders Association Spring Legislative Conference.
State Government Affairs Chair Greg Matovina, who also is NEFBA’s Government Affairs chair, led the group that consisted of NEFBA President Rick Morales, Past Presidents Denise Wallace and Michael Bourré, Executive Committee members Chet Skinner (first vice president), Harlan Bost (second vice president) and Lee Arsenault (secretary/treasurer) and NEBA members Josh Garrison, Doug Wenzel, Jim Arsenault, Chris Dostie and Matt Ciupak.
NEFBA Executive Director Corey Deal and Government Affairs Director Jessie Spradley also were in attendance.
Our delegation visited 10 of our representatives and senators, sharing with them our concerns about issues including state water policy, impact fees, lien law changes, building and fire code changes and funding for affordable house.
A major goal of both FHBA and NEFBA was advocating for spring protection legislation that helps protect our state water resources without adversely affecting development.