BRYAN WINS SEAT ON ALABAMA SUPREME COURT
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| Judge Tommy Bryan, who has served on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, won a decisive victory over Calhoun County Circuit Judge Debra Jones for an open seat on the Alabama Supreme Court. Bryan received 66 percent of the vote to Jones' 34 percent.
"Judge Bryan has proven himself as a fair minded judge that applies the law uniformly in cases brought before him" said HBAA President Todd Slyman. "He will be a valuable addition to the high court and will serve Alabama well."
The Alabama Builders Political Action Committee (ABPAC) endorsed Judge Bryan in his bid for the Supreme Court. Bryan is unopposed in the general election.
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MOORE WINS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR CHIEF JUSTICE
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Buoyed by strong showings by Presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, Roy Moore beat out Chuck Malone and Charles Graddick for the Republican slot on the November ballot for Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice. Moore received 50.4 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff. He will face Pelham attorney Harry Lyon in the general election in November.
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SLYMAN TESTIFIES BEFORE ALABAMA REAL ESTATE APPRAISER BOARD
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HBAA President Todd Slyman spoke before the Real Estate Appraisers Board this week to discuss ongoing issues concerning appraisal practices. Slyman's presentation generated a significant amount of discussion among board members who provided a number of suggestions on how to improve appraisals. The HBAA has been invited to provide an article on appraisal issues for publication in the Board's quarterly newsletter. The article will be reprinted in the HBAA's Building in Alabama newsletter. The HBAA would like to thank Board Chairman Joseph Lundy, Executive Director Lisa Brooks, and the entire Board for taking time to consider the points raised by President Slyman and their willingness to continue the conversation.
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ALABAMA ENERGY AND RESIDENTIAL CODES BOARD ADOPTS CODES
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Earlier this week, the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board officially adopted the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) and the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as the statewide standard for construction in Alabama. The IRC provisions apply in all areas of Alabama not already covered by a locally adopted code. The energy provisions of the code(s) are mandatory statewide. The entire code will be effective on October 1.
This has been a long and exhaustive process in which the Board members researched and dissected the codes and various provisions. The HBAA congratulates the Board and its members for their hard work and dedication to task. The HBAA offers special thanks to Board Chairman Sonny Richardson and the staff of ADECA. If not for their efforts, the long sought goal of establishing the code would not have occurred.
Additionally, the HBAA would like to thank Representative Greg Wren, sponsor of the legislation that established the board and set this process in motion. Rep. Wren has been a strong supporter of the home building industry and its goal of providing safe and affordable housing in Alabama. Thanks to his leadership, Alabama has its first statewide building and energy code. Attached is a press release that Rep. Wren sent out this week concerning the adoption of the code.
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ELECTRONIC SECURITY BILL MODIFIED TO PROTECT HOME BUILDER EXEMPTION
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| Representative Jim Carns agreed this week to amend HB 253 on behalf of the HBAA, Realtors, ABC, and electrical groups. The bill was aimed at further defining the business of electronic security installation and increasing the penalties for violations. Due to efforts of the HBAA and others, the existing law provides exemptions for home builders, electricians, investment property owners and others that run wire to the systems and/or provide routine maintenance in buildings. HB 253 was drafted by electronic security companies which asked Rep. Carns to introduce the measure. Rep. Carns was unaware that the language would have deleted those exemptions and, when shown what the result would be, quickly directed a rewrite of those sections. The HBAA would like to thank Rep. Carns for his continued support of the home building industry and his willingness to alter this legislation. |
