LOVE ELUDES ALABAMA HOUSE ON VALENTINE'S DAY
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The Alabama Legislature ended its fifth legislative day with a contentious debate on HB 84, the Alabama School Flexibility Act. A major piece of the Republican agenda is to provide flexibility to schools to promote innovation, but Democrats worry that the measure will usher in charter schools. Rep. Chad Fincher (R-Mobile), the bill's sponsor, offered an amendment stating that the bill does not authorize charter schools. Passage of the bill came along party lines. The four hour debate left little room for other issues prior to the legislature adjourning for the week.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ADOPTS HBAA BACKED AMENDMENTS
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The House Boards and Commissions Committee adopted an amendment to SB 100 by Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) on Wednesday. The Senate bill authorizes the legislature to withdraw funds from any of the licensing boards to pay for services provided by the state to the boards. The HBAA-backed amendment removes the self-funded boards such as the Home Builders Licensure Board, HVAC Board, and Plumbers and Gas Fitters Board from the provisions of the measure.
HBAA concerns focus on the removal of licensee provided money from the various boards to pay for services without any accounting of actual cost of services provided and without a limitation that such charges should not exceed the actual cost of such services. The HBAA will continue to monitor the bill as it moves to the House floor for consideration.
Representative Steve Clouse (R-Ozark) worked closely with Senator Orr to have the amendment added to the bill. The HBAA would like to thank both Senator Orr and Representative Clouse for their leadership and their support of the home building industry.
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PLUMBERS AND GAS FITTER REVISION BILL INTRODUCED
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The HBAA-backed legislation that revises the plumbers and gas fitters law was introduced this week in the House. Representative Jack Williams (R-Vestavia Hills) agreed to carry the bill for the HBAA and the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Board. Here are some of the changes that HB 265 makes:
- Clarifies that an employee can do "maintenance" work on an employer's property.
- Increases the performance bond from $2,000 to $15,000, bringing it in line with other trades
- Eliminates inactive fee for Code Officials employed by local or state government
- Transfers unused funds to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation for plumbing education
- Increases violations from Class B misdemeanor to Class A
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HBAA LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 26 IN CONJUNCTION WITH ABLE
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HBAA members will get the opportunity to speak face to face with their legislators at the 2013 HBAA Legislative Reception, taking place on Tuesday, February 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Convention Center. The reception is one of the highlights of Alabama's Better Living Expo (ABLE), February 25-27 at the Renaissance. Registration for HBAA members includes admission to ABLE as well as the 2013 HBAA Winter Meeting which is held in conjunction with ABLE. To register for ABLE and the Winter Meeting, click here.
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DID YOU KNOW?: TWO WEEKS IN AND 508 BILLS
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In the first two weeks of the 2013 Session, the Alabama Legislature has already introduced over 500 bills. In perspective, last year the legislature introduced 1,370 bills over the entire session. The HBAA reviews every piece of legislation throughout session and proposes amendments or voices support/opposition to those that directly affect any aspect of the home building industry.
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