The Florida Home Builders Association honored State Senator Joe Gruters with its Champion of Housing Award, a recognition awarded by over 8,000 FHBA members across the state. Selected by industry leaders, the award honors legislators who have shown exemplary service for enhancing the building industry in Florida.
The award was presented to Senator Joe Gruters on Saturday, August 3, during the Southeast Building Conference in Kissimmee, FL.
Senator Gruters sponsored SB 144, the Impact Fee Reform bill. The bill codified a series of case law, which was often ignored by local governments. The bill requires that an impact fee must only be used to offset the actual impact of development and that the local government must specifically earmark funds collected under the impact fee for use in acquiring, constructing, or improving capital facilities to benefit new users.
In addition, Senator Gruters sponsored SB 1036, the Florida Building Code Enforcement bill, which ensures that new homeowners do not pay more for construction permits than necessary to carry out enforcement of the Florida Building Code. Several local governments were carrying multiple years of excess funds, unnecessarily driving up the costs of constructing a home.
“Senator Gruters is very sensitive to Floridian’s ability to afford a new house.” said Rusty Payton, FHBA CEO/Chief Lobbyist. “Unnecessary costs further amplify the cost of homes when local governments collect permits in excess of what it costs to enforce the building codes. Thank you, Senator Gruters, for working to keep the costs of homeownership as low as possible.”
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Established in 1949, the Florida Home Builders Association is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Florida’s local/regional homebuilder associations. FHBA, along with its affiliates, work to create the best possible economic and regulatory environment for members to succeed.
For further information, please contact:
Allison Finley, Director of Marketing and Communications
Florida Home Builders Association
800.261.9447 | 850.766.1679
afinley@fhba.com