INSIDE: Week 15 Capitol Report Web version

Facebook icon Forward icon

The BATC Beat

  • It's National Volunteer Week! We'd like to thank all our members who volunteer and make BATC and the BATC Foundation so great! 
     
  • Things are heating up at the Capitol as the session nears the end of the tunnel! Read our week 15 update below.
     
  • ParadeofHomes.org has just launched our new Photo Gallery! Details below.
     
  • The Spring Builders WareHouse sale was a huge success! The BATC Foundation raised nearly $10,000. More info below.
     
  • Want to stay up to date on all the industry's news? Sign up for our weekly blog updates today. 

Legislative Session Week 15: What You Need to Know

The legislature is back from it's Spring recess and is marching towards a mid-May adjournment by compiling the large omnibus budget bills. BATC is actively engaged and monitoring several provisions still moving through the process:

Creation of Energy Performance Path – Tested Homes Qualify for Trade-Offs – BATC-supported language was passed into the Jobs and Energy Finance Omnibus Bill. This bill attempts to clarify a performance path that utilizes the HERS Index (used by 60% of Metro homes) and was heard last Tuesday making it into the Omnibus Jobs & Energy Bill. Opposition to the HERS Index provision has been steady. The movement of the bill has accelerated talks with DLI and stakeholders, placing us closer to a performance path which allows for a smoother enforcement process as well as insulation trade-offs. We are also seeking to clarify this with DLI outside of the legislative process.

Met Council Governance – Make Changes or More Study?– The House has pressed aggressively for staggered terms and a new council member appointment process that isn’t solely managed by the Governor. The Senate is poised to pass language that would study Met Council governance and move any legislative action to next session. Beyond governance, the House has continued to press forward with language that would moderate Met Council planning powers used to enforce comprehensive planning goals on cities and townships. Finally, Sen. Dave Osmek (R-Mound) is introducing a bill to abolish the Met Council, representing perhaps the longest of long shots this session.

Future Code Processes – 6-Year Cycle and 9-Month Implementation – Also in the Omnibus Jobs and Energy Finance Omnibus bill is language to clarify a six-year code cycle (a cycle that’s been informally in place since 2000), increasing the implementation time before a new code becomes effective to be no less than 9-months, and requiring the new code to be published online and accessible to the public prior to its effective date.

Environment Omnibus Bill – Wetlands and Study – The House is expected to pass an Environment Omnibus bill out of committee with two significant industry provisions: the first would pave the way for a cash-in-lieu fee structure for Wetland Mitigation; the second would create a study group to consider the feasibility of Minnesota taking over regulatory administration of 404 Federal Wetland Permitting, which is currently overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers. 

50-Foot Buffers – Watching, Waiting – As previously reported, BATC & BAM met with DNR and BWSR representatives to confirm the intent and reach of the Governor’s 50ft buffer on agricultural lands with exposed soils and non-perennial covers. Residential developments are not the target, though we are watchful and are discussing the issue of agricultural land conveyed to residential developers, to ensure that a one-size-fits-all approach does not create challenges for BATC members in the future.

Check out our blog for weekly updates from the capitol.



Huge Crowd for Spring WareHouse Sale!

The Builders WareHouse was cleaned out Saturday during this year's Spring sale. Hundreds attended and nearly $10,000 dollars was raised for the BATC Foundation. Thank you to all who donated, volunteered their time, or purchased items! See photos here >>


They Can Color and Hunt for Eggs!

Great Egg Hunt in the BATC Backyard!

Our Parade of Homes coloring contest winners had a great time hunting for eggs in KARE 11's BATC backyard. In all, a dozen kiddos participated and they even made it on air during KARE 11's Saturday show. 


New Photo Gallery at ParadeofHomes.org

We’ve gathered all of the amazing photos already on the ParadeofHomes.org site into an easy to use and share gallery.

We’ll continue to populate the gallery with all photos added for any premium upgrade (Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase entries and premium company profiles), or you can add photos via your company profile (look for the Gallery area on the right side of the screen).





Millennials Represent Largest Share of Buyers in 2015

According to the 2015 National Association of Realtors® Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends study, the largest group of recent buyers was the millennial generation, those 34 and younger, who composed 32 percent of all buyers (31 percent in 2013). 

Read the 5 most intersesting highlights from the study >>


Buying Beats Renting in Only 2.2 Years

In 66 percent of U.S. metros, home buyers can break even on a home purchase in less than two years. In the Twin Cities metro, buying beats renting after only 2.2 years. The above chart shows the zip codes with the slowest and fastest breakeven rates.
Read more >>


Nearly 32K Tear Down Starts in 2014

NAHB estimates that there was a total of 31,800 single-family teardown starts in 2014.

While we've seen our share of teardowns in the Twin Cities, it's not the most popular region for this type of construction. 
Read more >>


True Leaders Create More Leaders!

Are you looking for help developing the next leader in your business? This September, we will be launching the BATC Leadership Institute! This learning experience is aimed at creating the next leaders within your company. Details coming soon!


EPA Lead Renovator Refresher courses

Don't get LEAD behind! Fulfill your lead recertification requirements through BATC University. 

When:
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
More Info >>

 


Sign up for our Blog Updates!


Upcoming Calendar of Events

April 16
Remodelers Round Table [RSVP]
May 5
Member Orientation
June 5 - 21
Artisan Home Tour 
July 9
Eggs and Economics Breakfast [Register]

For a complete list of events, visit our website at WWW.BATC.ORG.


Thank You to Our 2015 Elite Partners