If you are not able to attend the 2016 FHBA Legislative Conference beginning today in Tallahassee, FL and visit with Legislators, you can still help us pursue our legislative agenda. Click here to access a call to action on the FHBA website. Let your Legislator know how important it is to pass this year’s Building Code Bill. If FHBA members do not stand up for less regulation and more affordable homes, no one will.
To those of you taking the time and effort to be in Tallahassee, FL for Legislative Conference, I say “Thank You”! If the registration numbers are any indication, we anticipate a strong showing! A lot of excitement is being generated around the PAC 1,000 Club Dinner, Legislative Reception, introduction of a new FHB Insurance CEO and, of course, our Capitol Hill visits.
Due to a scheduled hearing of a bill strongly supported by the FHBA, the timing of the Legislative Briefing has been modified. The Legislative Briefing is now scheduled for Tuesday, February 9 from 8:30am-9:30am at Tallahassee City Hall Commission Chambers (click here to view the revised schedule). SB 660, the FHBA Supported Local Option Impact Fee Alternative Bill will be heard in the Senate Committee on Community Affairs. That hearing is scheduled from 10:00am to 12:00pm in room 301 of the Senate Office Building. I encourage you to attend the Senate Hearing if you do not have other scheduled meetings at that time. I will be the designated spokesperson on behalf of FHBA and other experts will be available to help answer technical questions.
During your visits with Legislators, we are asking that you highlight the importance of passing the building code bill. Passage of this bill is our top priority as it contains provisions which will keep costs under control by keeping blower door testing as an optional process; returning the zero-lot line and fire separation provisions to the prior code, providing an alternative methodology for energy calculations and beginning the planning for moving to a six year code cycle. Believe it or not, there are those who oppose our positions and advocate increasing the cost of new construction!