HB 46/SB 227 "Pre-Sale Agreements"
Sponsors: Rep. Chris England/Senator Gerald Allen
Description: This bill is designed to clarify that pre-sale agreements for the purchase of lots in subdivisions are enforceable.
Status: HB 46 has been scheduled for committee action next Wednesday. A committee substitute will be offered by the County Commissioners Association with HBAA support. The substitute states that the developer will file a preliminary set of engineered drawings of the proposed subdivision with the County prior to offering the pre-sale agreements.
HB 102/SB 195 "Alabama Housing Initiative Update"
Sponsors: Rep. Mike Hill/Senator Cam Ward
Description: The legislation updates the Alabama Housing Initiative that was originally passed in 2009. It provides for alternative housing programs that, if passed, are projected to spur up to 2,500 new and existing home sales during the 2014 calendar year.
Status: HB 102 passed the House this week. The bill will be assigned to a Senate committee on Tuesday.
Special Recognition: A special thanks goes out to Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard for making the passage of this bill a priority. On Thursday, the Speaker made it known that they wanted to pass five bills in order to get to HB 102. His leadership and the fine work of Rep. Mike Hill resulted in a unanimous vote in the House. Additionally, the HBAA would like to thank all those who signed on as co-sponsors in the House. Thirty-three house members added their names to this important legislation.
HB 142/SB 124 "HVAC Law Revisions" Sponsors: Rep. Jack Williams/Senator Gerald Allen Description: Identical to the legislation introduced in the 2013 legislative session, this legislation codifies the Duct and Envelope Testing registration process and establishes a duct cleaning and filter changing company registration. Additionally, the bill allows for the transfer of surplus agency funds to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation to be used to support HVAC programs at trade schools and apprentice training programs in Alabama. Status: The HBAA is working to get the bill assigned to the House special order calendar at the earliest opportunity. HB 143/SB 150 "Plumbers Law Revisions" Sponsors: Rep. Jack Williams/Senator Gerald Allen Description: Identical to the legislation introduced in the 2013 legislative session, this legislation makes several changes to the plumbers law including creating alternative disciplinary action for violations and allowing the transfer of surplus agency funds to be used by the Alabama Home Builders Foundation to support plumbing programs at trade schools and apprentice training programs in Alabama. Status: SB 150 had been scheduled to be considered by the Senate committee this week, but the winter storm prevented that from happening. |