HBAA
Legislative Alert

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ISSUE NO. 12/ May 29, 2015

Home Owners Association Legislation Heads to Governor

The House concurred with the Senate amendment this week, completing the final legislative step for the Home Owners' Association legislation. After months of effort, the bill now heads across the street to the Governor's office for his signature. When enacted, Alabama will have its first law specifically governing the establishment and operation of home owners' associations. The HBAA, Realtors, and Bankers pulled together to draft a bill that answers the concerns of the public while protecting the housing industry from over-regulation.

FORTIFIED Home Bill Heads to Governor

Senate Bill 254 by Senator Bill Hightower (R-Mobile) passed the House on Tuesday. When signed by the Governor, the measure will extend the insurance premium discounts, currently only granted to residential structures meeting the FORTIFIED standards in coastal counties, statewide. It also extends the program to include commercial property.

The FORTIFIED program, part of the Institute for Business and Home Safety's efforts to reduce damage to homes as a result of wind damage from hurricanes, is a construction retrofit standard. The property insurance discounts are designed to help offset the cost of the upgrades.

The HBAA would like to thank Senator Hightower and Rep. Steve McMillan (R-Bay Minette) for their efforts to promote voluntary, above code programs in Alabama.

Senate Approves Education Budget

In stark contrast to the General Fund Budget, the Senate passed an Education Budget with significant increases to classroom spending. Bumps in spending include an additional:

$10 million for Pre-K
$13 million for textbooks
$3 million for classroom supplies

Growth taxes, which are allocated to the Education Budget, account for the increase in revenue. Those tax revenues grow in tandem with an improved economy while General Fund revenues remain stagnant.

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