Even though the Legislature was on spring break last week, work on legislation continued on a number of issues. Over the break, the HBAA met with representatives of the Alabama Association of General Contractors (AGC), Alabama Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a number of subcontractors to discuss SB 289 by Senator Slade Blackwell (R-Birmingham) which would establish a method for avoiding bids on public projects.

Under the provisions of the bill, which was drafted by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama (ABC), public projects that normally require a formal bidding process could be given directly to large general contractors who have design/build capabilities and bypass the bid process. This would have given these mega contractors not only an unfair advantage over small general contractors and subcontractors, but would have avoided the time-honored process of making sure taxpayers were receiving the best value for their tax dollars. The HBAA, in an effort to protect members who also do commercial projects, has joined with the AGC and AIA in opposing the bill as drafted.

Despite last minute efforts by ABC to amend the bill to address the concerns, the Senate Commerce, Transportation and Utilities committee, chaired by Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa), voted to carry the bill over.

The HBAA joins with AGC and AIA in thanking the committee members in recognizing the potential downside of the legislation and supporting the HBAA position. The HBAA, AGC, and AIA remain willing to work with ABC to find a way to amend the bill if the measure is to move forward.

Representatives of the HBAA, Alabama Apartment Association, and the Alabama Realtors Association met this week to discuss the Realtor-backed HB 257. Sponsored by Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), the bill would restrict local governments from requiring owners of residential rental property to obtain a business license on every unit they own. If a local government is currently charging such a fee, they are exempted from the provisions of the act. The bill calls for a statewide constitutional amendment similar to one previously passed for Calhoun County. 

If, in the future, a local government would like to impose a per unit fee, they would have to get an amendment to the constitution to allow them that right. Although it would be time consuming for the local government, it would allow everyone an opportunity to voice their opinion on the issue and have it done in the light of day.

The HBAA is proud to join with Realtors and the Alabama Apartment Association in seeking tax fairness in Alabama and hopes passage of the bill will stave off any effort to extend a practice that is, in essence, an unfair tax and one that is often collected in addition to a fee based on the income of the property by local governments.

Senate Bill 233, sponsored by Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa), received a favorable report this week from the Senate Job Creation and Economic Development committee. Supported by the HBAA, the bill makes a number of updates to the law that the board has been seeking for some time. The changes bring the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Board in line with similar agencies such as the Alabama Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Board in how it addresses license violations and public protection aspects of the law.

An innovative change in the law would benefit the next generation of plumbers and gas fitters as well. A provision contained in the bill would allow any money that exceeds 25% of their previous year's operating budget that remains at the end of the fiscal year to be sent to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation to be used solely in support of state and federally approved plumbing and gas fitting educational programs in Alabama.

The HBAA commends the members of the committee for their support of this much needed legislation and their continued support of the home building and plumbing industries.