State and Local Reporter - 05/19/2005 (Plain Text Version)

Barry Rutenberg, Chair
Gainesville, Florida

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In this issue:
Oregon’s Measure 37: Breaking New Ground on Property Rights
North Dakota Is 25th State to Enact NOR Law — Missouri , New Hampshire and Oklahoma Pending
Wisconsin Developers/Department of Natural Resources Agree on Superior Environmental Performance
New Roadless Rule Lets States Choose Forest Protection
Dallas HBA Defeats Anti-Builder Charter Amendments
Supreme Court Clarifies Constitutional Property Rights in Lingle V. Chevron
Key Endangered Species Rules Revised in Florida
Industry News form California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida and Arizona
2005 SLGA Conference: Everything You Need to Reserve Your Spot in Phoenix
NAHB Funds Help Builders, Associations Across the Country
Texas, Illinois Consider Anti-Competition Legislation

NAHB Funds Help Builders, Associations Across the Country

NAHB funds help builders, associations across the country during last month’s board of directors meeting in Washington, NAHB grants were awarded to associations and individuals fighting nationally significant industry battles.

NAHB's State & Local Issues Fund supports associations handling legislative, regulatory or ballot issues. Applications are reviewed three times a year during the association’s board meetings.

As a result of action at the spring board of directors meeting, State & Local Issues Fund assistance will be provided for

Environmental Management System. The Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) requested, and received, support for a regulatory compliance database. Utilizing a new law, Green Tier, the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) is working in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to alleviate regulatory burdens currently limiting the building/development industry’s ability to meet the state’s growing demand for housing. Link here for full story.
Impact Fee Collaboration. The Florida HBA received support to work, in conjunction with the Texas Association of Builders, in developing a universally applicable Impact Fee technical assistance program. The concept was based upon a desire by local executive officers to have a common access to data and information that would enable them to dispute the calculations and data of impact fees. The program’s centerpiece is a “reference tool” that streamlines, condenses and organizes complex issues and seemingly chaotic information on impact fees into a computerized tiered database.
Land-use Study. The North Carolina HBA received funding to commission a study on the effects of land-use policies on minority and/or low-income groups. In December 2003, the City of Monroe updated their land development plan and unified development ordinance. Upon review of the land development plan and related provisions in the unified development ordinance, NCHBA found that a number of provisions would increase the cost of housing, possibly to the extent that members of certain socio-economic groups could no longer afford to purchase a home.
GCP Analysis. The California BIA received funding to perform comprehensive research into the possibly negative impacts of moving from a General Construction Permit (GCP) focused on Best Management Practices (BMP) compliance to a GCP based on numeric limits for sediment discharges and non-visible pollutants at construction sites. Numeric limitations would necessitate mandatory water quality sampling and analysis for all storm events. It is estimated that the cost to comply with numeric limitations could reach $125,000 per construction site.

For more information on the State & Local Issues Fund, please visit the NAHB's website section on Issues Fund Projects or contact Alex Strong in the State & Local Governmen Affairs department at 800-368-5242 x8279.