Two bills were introduced this week to eliminate the ability of developers to use transfer fees as an infrastructure financing tool. HB 184 (Greeson, Ider) and SB 178 (Marsh, Anniston) would outlaw the use of this tool and require additional disclosure on those fees currently in place.
The HBAA has voiced its opposition to this legislation in past sessions and continues to maintain that eliminating this financing alternative is unwarranted, especially in the current economic times when commercial financing is limited. The HBAA has reiterated its position that full disclosure is a fair way to ensure that the public is aware of the fees prior to purchase without adversely affecting development.
Below is a list of the members of the two committees to which the bills have been assigned. Please contact these members and let them know that disclosure is fair, but that eliminating any legitimate financing tool is detrimental to our industry and the economic recovery of the state.
House: Commerce and Small Business Committee
Rep. Greg Canfield (Vestavia Hills) 205-453-0883
Rep. Jack Williams (Birmingham) 205-414-7539
Rep. Craig Ford (Gadsden) 256-547-2727
Rep. Richard Baughn (Lynn) 205-893-5815
Rep. David Colston (Hayneville) 334-874-2569
Rep. Blaine Galliher (Gadsden) 256-442-7517
Rep. Barry Moore (Enterprise) 334-348-2402
Rep. Kurt Wallace (Maplesville) 334-366-4211
Rep. Pebblin Warren (Tuskegee) 334-280-4469
Senate: Judiciary Committee
Senator Ben Brooks (Mobile) 251-344-7744
Senator Cam Ward (Alabaster) 205-664-6848
Senator Jerry Fielding (Sylacauga) 334-242-7800
Senator Marc Keahey (Grove Hill) 251-275-3127
Senator Arthur Orr (Decatur) 256-260-2147
Senator Rodger Smitherman (Birmingham) 205-322-012
Senator Bryan Taylor (Prattville) 334-242-7800
Senator Tom Whatley (Auburn) 334-242-7800
Senator Phil Williams (Gadsden) 334-242-7800
Senator Dick Brewbaker (Montgomery) 334-242-7800
If you have difficulty reaching your House or Senate member, you can call the House switch board at 334-242-7600 or the Senate switch board at 334-242-7800.
Please let us know of any questions/comments you receive from the committee members.
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