Legislative Update

SOUTH CAROLINA

HB3858
A vested rights bill was introduced in the General Assembly on behalf of the South Carolina Home Builders Association by Rep. Tracy Edge.  Locals believe that it will go down in the record books as one of the most significant bills for home builders in South Carolina in years.  The bill will allow home builders to have their development plans vested by the local government much earlier in the development process than is currently possible.

NEW JERSEY

SB1
The Highlands bill pushed by Governor James McGreevey made it through both the Senate and Assembly. The bill, which preserves nearly 400,000 acres mostly around reservoirs in the state's Highlands region, establishes a regional council to create a master plan. It also identifies 15,000 acres for dense development and allows municipalities to charge builders impact fees of up to $15,000 per unit in those areas.  Proponents hailed the legislation, saying it will protect the state's water supply for years to come.  Opponents, including the New Jersey Builders Association, argued that it will make it more difficult for the state to keep up with housing demand. [ return to top ]