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HBAG Spring Board Meeting April 28-30
The 2014 HBAG Spring Board Meeting is right around the corner! In addition to committee meetings and the Board of Directors Meeting, there will be many opportunities to earn continuing education credits, a Welcome Reception, and a silent auction to benefit B-PAC. Click here for more information and to register for the meeting at the Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa in Young Harris, GA. Visit the Brasstown Valley Resort website for information about the hotel, area attractions, and directions.
HBAG has partnered with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and Luke Owen of the NPDES Training Institute to provide members with classes related to Erosion Control Certification, Lead RRP Training, etc. throughout the state of Georgia. Click here for a class schedule and to sign-up.
The 2014 Resource Guide is now available online!
The HBAG membership directory is now available on the HBAG website. Click here to view the 2014 edition.
2013-2014
HBAG Leadership
Vice President
Ted Noe
Neal Davis
Vice President/Secretary
Lamar Smith
Immediate Past President
Jason Dickens
Associate Vice President
Amanda Roland
GEOC President
Wendy Myers
Area Associate Directors
Area VIII-
Tara Mincey
HBAG Member Rebate Program
No one likes to leave money on the table. So, what would you think if you could get a rebate for your loyalty to many of the nation's leading product suppliers? Well, now you can! HBAG's Member Rebate Program increases your bottom line. For the minimal effort of informing us about the home construction products you use and when you close on a home or project, you'll be putting money back in your pocket. Both Builder and Remodeler companies, no matter how large or small, qualify for the program, and you are not required to use products from every manufacturer. For more information and to register click here.
IMPORTANT TAX NOTICE from HBAG for 2014
Dues payments are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. However, dues may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expense, subject to exclusions for lobbying activity. Contributions to a political action committee (PAC) are not tax deductible.
In 2014, 91% of the $100 HBAG dues are used for lobbying, so $91 is not tax deductible for 2014.
(In 2013, 82% of the $100 HBAG dues were used for lobbying, so $82 is not tax deductible for 2013.)
In 2014, 12% of the $166 NAHB dues are used for lobbying, so $19.92 is not tax deductible for 2014.
(In 2013, 17% of the $150 NAHB dues are used for lobbying, so $25.50 is not tax deductible for 2013.)
Quick Links
Online Advertising
Read NAHB's Eye on Housing
Read NAHB's Eye on the Economy
Become a Sponsor of HBAG
Home Builders Association of Georgia
3015 Camp Creek Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30344 Phone: (404) 763-2453 Fax: (404) 559-1531
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| REMINDER: Continuing Education Credits Due June 30
Continuing education credits are due JUNE 30, 2014. For Residential Basic you should have earned 3 credits for 2012-2013 and 3 credits for 2013-2014. For Light Commercial you should have earned 6 credits for 2012-2013 and 6 credits for 2013-2014.
All Residential and General Contractor licenses in Georgia must be renewed biannually. The next renewal date is June 30, 2014. The Licensing Board is encouraging all licensed contractors to renew before the deadline to avoid any delays that may be encountered as the deadline approaches. Licensed contractors click here to renew on-line. As an alternative, licensed contractors can call 404.463.1100 and submit a request to have the renewal application mailed directly to them. However, keep in mind that renewal applications sent by mail are individualized for each builder with a bar code.
Builder Licensing Continuing Education Requirements:
*Residential Basic (RB) 3 hours per year in two year licensing period = 6 hours needed to renew
* Residential Light (RL) 6 hours per year = 12 hours needed to renew
The Residential and General Contractor Licensing Board has established a $100 nonrefundable renewal fee, which can be paid by credit card on-line. Once a renewal application has been submitted, a builder's status will be shown on-line as "renewal pending." According to the Secretary of State's office, a builder can continue to work and enter into contracts while under this status.
There is a late renewal fee of $200 for renewal applications submitted between July 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014. However, during this extended renewal period, a builder's license is considered lapsed and not valid. After December 31, all licenses that have not been renewed will be treated as revoked. At that juncture, reinstatement is at the discretion of the board, which could require the submission of a new application and/or the re-taking of the licensing examination. For more information check the SOS website.
Please be sure that the Board has your current email address on record so that you may receive your renewal notification. If you are unable to receive email notifications, a renewal reminder postcard will be mailed out approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date of June 30, 2014.
Don't delay. Check with your local HBA for classes if you need CEU credits. There will be educational opportunities available at the HBAG Spring Board Meeting on April 29th & 30th at The Brasstown Valley Resort. If you have questions about builder licensing, contact Bettie Sleeth at bsleeth@hbag.org.
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NAHB 2014 Legislative Conference
"Bringing Housing Home"
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Members with Senator Johnny Isakson
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The Congressional schedule made the 2014 Legislative Conference impractical to hold in Washington, D.C. As an alternative, NAHB members advocated for housing's legislative priorities at in-district meetings with their members of congress.
In Georgia, over 8 Senators and Congressman were visited during Bringing Housing Home week throughout the state. Some of the specific issues discussed in Georgia included tax reform, labor shortage/ immigration reform, flood insurance reform, building energy codes, water, and housing finance reform. Congressmen Hank Johnson, Jack Kingston, Austin Scott, David Scott, Rob Woodall, Lynn Westmoreland, Tom Price, Tom Graves, Doug Collins and Senator Johnny Isakson were among some of the Bringing Housing Home representatives that HBAG members were able to meet with and discuss these key issues. Overall, it was a busy and successful week in Georgia for "Bringing Housing Home". Thank you to all of you that participated!
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Congressman Phil Gingrey
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Congressman Austin Scott in Middle Georgia
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Congressman Jack Kingston in Savannah
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ALL Home Program Board Meeting
The ALL Home Program Charter Members Discuss the Positive Future of the Program
Excitement was in the air at the recent Board 
meeting of the ALL - A Liveable Lifestyle Home Program that Charter members held on March 26, 2014 at the offices of the Chairman Jim Chapman.
A number of the founding builder member companies were there and eager to talk about their new projects: Kelly Dempsey joined Jim from Jim Chapman Communities; Carrie Roeger and Mike Lust from Windsong Life; Kevin Isakson with Isakson Living; Meg Thompson from Olde Town Grayson; Tony Perry and Patti Bachtel with Greenstone Development. From outside the greater Atlanta area, Stanley Richardson, Dalton and Ted Noe, Rome talked about new interest in their areas for custom home builders.
New marketing materials, rack cards and signs were presented by Betsy Shepherd, Gilbert & Sheppard. Members were encouraged to "like" the ALL- A Liveable Lifestyle Home Facebook page. A dedicated website is in development. In the meantime, information on the ALL Home Program can be found on the HBAG website. Additional media opportunities were discussed. Betsy and Louise Plonowski will assist with preparing articles for publication. Chad Schernikau, Total Atlanta Realty, talked to the group about getting ALL recognized in the MLS - Multiple Listing Services.
A Builder/Member Kit was put together by HBAG Communication Specialist, Kailey Murphy and Bettie Sleeth, HBAG Consultant for Regulatory Affairs and the ALL program. It contains the enrollment forms, criteria, inspection checklists, procedures for scheduling inspections and for obtaining marketing materials. Inspections procedures were discussed and clarified at length. Most of the builders present have homes ready for inspection. The ALL coalition expects to have a number of homes in various parts of the state certified within the next month. Austin Hackney, the new HBAG Government Director was pleased to be there and have the opportunity to learn about a voluntary certification program like ALL- A Liveable Lifestyle Home.
Kelly Lass, HBAG EVP, stated ALL is a statewide program. Kelly spoke about HBAG commitment, oversight and efforts to introduce the ALL program around the state. David Ellis, EVP of the Greater Atlanta HBA, talked about opportunities in the metro region. Jim Chapman will be speaking at the HBAG Spring Board meeting on April 30 at Brasstown Valley Resort about the ALL Home Program.
Members were energized following the meeting and are excited about growing the ALL program.
For more information or to get involved in the ALL - A Liveable Lifestyle Home Program, contact Bettie Sleeth at bsleeth@hbag.org.
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UPS IS NOW THE NEW NAHB MEMBER DISCOUNT SHIPPING PROGRAM PROVIDER
NAHB is excited to announce the UPS® Savings
 Program for our members! Make the most out of your membership and take advantage of some of the most competitive rates available on shipping services with UPS. Whether you need your documents or packages to arrive the next day or are looking for the most affordable shipping option, UPS understands the importance of reliability, speed and cost. See how UPS discounts can help your bottom line:- Up to 36% on UPS Air letters including UPS Next Day Air®*
- Up to 32% on UPS Air packages (1 lb.+)*
- Up to 34% on UPS International imports and exports
- Up to 24% on UPS Ground shipments
- Savings begin at 70% on UPS Freight® shipments over 150 lbs.
You can receive these discounts even if you already have a UPS account. Plus, the more you ship, the more you can save with UPS. To enroll and start saving, visit savewithups.com/nahb or call 1-800-MEMBERS (1-800-636-2377), M-F, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. *Discounts exclude UPS Express Critical® and UPS Next Day Air® Early A.M.® **If you are a local HBA and would like to communicate the new UPS program information to members, feel free to use the documents below and drop your logo in next to the NAHB logo. Email Copy - HBA UPS Letter NAHB- UPS Enewsletter NAHB Freight (150 lbs +) shipments AD NAHB UPS small package (under 150 lbs ) AD NAHB-UPS Flyer or Ad small package freight
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