TWO UNANIMOUS VOTES,
SAME BILL, SAME DAY |
As reported earlier in the week, SB 315 (Keahey, Grove Hill) passed the House on a unanimous vote. What many of the members were unaware of, however, was that due to a change made to the bill in the House, the bill had to go back to the Senate to be concurred with. With gambling about to take center stage, HBAA staff, President Cliff Pitman, Representatives Greg Wren and Mike Hill, and Senator Marc Keahey went immediately to work to get the bill transmitted to the Senate in advance of the impending bingo debate. Over the course of 15 minutes, the bill passed the House and was rushed to the Senate. Carrying one of the HBAA's "Vote Yes on SB 315" stickers in his hand, Speaker Pro Tem Roger Smitherman pulled our bill from the basket and led the Senate to a unanimous vote concurring with the House amendment. The bill now awaits the Governor's signature.
The HBAA cannot express its appreciation enough to Representative Greg Wren and Senator Marc Keahey for their exceptional leadership in passing this monumental legislation. Both of these gentlemen have shown great leadership in their respective chambers and have proven their deep friendship to the home building industry.
The HBAA also thanks Speaker of the House Seth Hammett and House Rules Chairman Ken Guin for shepherding the legislation through the House. Another set of key players in the House was Representative Frank McDaniel and his Commerce Committee members. These legislators moved expeditiously to have the bill reported out of their committee on a favorable vote and have the great appreciation of the HBAA and the entire home building industry.
In the Senate, the HBAA would be remiss if it did not thank Senator Roger Smitherman and Senator Lowell Barron for moving quickly to have the legislation placed before the entire Senate at the first opportunity.
Finally, the HBAA would like to once again thank all the members who took time to speak with their legislators both at home and in Montgomery. This is your victory. |
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SECOND BIG WIN THIS WEEK |
| The HBAA scored another big victory this week with the passage of SB 187 (Bedford, Russellville). This bill will allow the Alabama Housing Finance Authority to service loans for smaller lenders. By doing so, smaller financial agencies and community banks will be able to offer loans that they had previously been unable to due to the cost of servicing which made them less competitive with larger financial institutions. The HBAA worked closely with Senator Bedford to make this bill a reality. The bill awaits the Governor's signature. |
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REAL ESTATE COMMISSION SEEKS TO LICENSE APARTMENT MANAGERS |
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A bill that would allow the Alabama Real Estate Commission to license certain apartment managers awaits action in the House Boards and Commissions Committee. HB 625 (Johnson, Sylacauga) would require that managers of apartment complexes that oversee more than one complex be licensed. The bill accomplishes this by "clarifying" the language for those exempted from the licensing requirements.
"(b) The licensing requirements of Articles 1 and 2 of this chapter shall not apply to any of the following persons and transactions:
(7) Persons acting as the on-site manager or leasing staff for an apartment building or complex if they have a designated office on the premises and their duties and responsibilities are limited to only one apartment building or complex site. However, this exception shall not apply to a person acting as an on-site manager of a condominium building or complex."
The HBAA will continue to work with the bill sponsor to ensure that the bill does not negatively affect our investment property owners or their employees. |
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ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS BOARD
LEGISLATION MOVES FORWARD |
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The HBAA has been working closely with the Electrical Contractors Board to help address some concerns raised by its pending legislation. After negotiation, a substitute was adopted by the Senate. Senate Bill 171 (Marsh, Anniston) now moves to the House for consideration.
Among the changes that the bill seeks to make is to provide the Board with the authority to investigate unlicensed electricians and limit their ability to fine to $5000.00. Also included in the legislation is a "grandfathering" provision by which persons who have completed a standardized test for licensing in a local area could use that to qualify for a state license.
The HBAA will continue to work with the Board to get the bill passed and signed into law. |
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HBAA SUPPORTED SCRAP METAL BILL PASSES HOUSE |
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Although copper theft has decreased along with the price of copper, the HBAA continues to work to prevent a reemergence of the same crime that plagued our industry a few years ago. The bill will create a policing mechanism to focus on those who sell scrap metal. On Thursday, HB 298 (Wood, Anniston) passed the House. The bill essentially establishes the criminal penalties on those who attempt to sell stolen metal. The bill also states that local ordinances addressing scrap metal theft would be unaffected by this law. The HBAA hopes this legislation will serve to deter future theft as the economy recovers and the cost of materials begins to increase. |
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BILL INTRODUCED TO REDUCE REDEMPTION TIME ON COMMERCIAL PROPERTY |
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Senator Roger Bedford introduced SB 506 on Thursday that reduces the time on right of redemption on commercial property from one year to 90 days.
"(b) All persons named or enumerated in subdivisions (a)(1) through (a)(7) may shall exercise the right of redemption granted by this article within one year for residential property and within 90 days for commercial property from the date of the sale."
The HBAA is monitoring this legislation and will be working with the sponsor and other industry groups to ensure that our industry is not negatively affected by this measure. The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. |
