Join us today from 4:00-6:00pm at the Mingle Showroom as Realtors and Builders meet to discuss the current marketplace. A panel of experts from BATC and MAAR will address what's to come for both industries. Register now >>

Please note: James Vagle, our Public Policy Director at BATC, is being whisked away by an important Remodeler issue at the capitol. David Siegel, our Executive Director at BATC, is filling in for him on the panel.

Legislative Session Week 13

Design Licensing Bill Scheduled for Informational Hearing

The long-time controversial design licensing bill will receive an informational hearing this afternoon in the House Commerce Committee. BATC is monitoring the bill closely and will continue to work with the bill authors to ensure that industry concerns are addressed if the bill should advance beyond an informational hearing.

As introduced, the bill would create a new license and clarify a right of use to the title of licensed interior designer for persons engaged in the planning and design of interior, non-load bearing interior construction. The bill would limit the use of the title ‘licensed interior designer’ on any other device which would indicate that a person is licensed. This limitation opens questions about the use of the term ‘design-build’ by companies. The interior design licensure would not apply to:

• Architects, landscape architects, and engineers
• Retail consultants for finishes, furnishings or cabinetry on behalf of a retailer
• Salesperson selling surface materials, window treatments, displays, etc
• Residential designers, including kitchen or bath designer working within interior exempt spaces

It’s important to note that the hearing is informational only – no votes will be taken on the measure today. The bill did not make the policy deadline but as an unresolved issue, it is likely that bill proponents will continue to press for its passage. Read Bill >>

Grassroots Update: BATC Members Press for Sprinkler Mandate Resolution

Our top priority remains removing the home indoor sprinkler system mandate from the building code, and we continue to discuss this issue with legislators to ensure that home sprinklers are a choice, not a mandate. We expect this issue to re-emerge more prominently as the session pivots past the committee work. At the Capitol we have had a number of meetings with key legislators and their BATC constituents to explain the issue and the problems associated with an unnecessary sprinkler mandate. Several BATC members have been working very hard at educating legislators on this issue. A few recent highlights include:

• Mike Devoe (Ryland Homes) and Craig Plekkenpol (Plekkenpol Builders) met with Rep. Paul Rosenthal (DFL-Edina/Bloomington)
• Jim Slaikeu (DR Horton) met with Rep. Will Morgan (DFL-Lakeville/Burnsville)
• Tom Wiener (Cardinal Homesbuilders) and Kori Meewes (and more by Kori) met with Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury)
• Bill Burgess & Vincent Berger (Lennar) and Bill Pritchard (Prudential) met with Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Plymouth)
• Rick Kot (RA Kot Homes), David Siegel (BATC), and Peter Coyle (Larkin Hoffman) met with Sen. Greg Clausen (DFL-Eagan)
• Ian Peterson (Pulte Group) met with Rep. Yvonne Selcer (DFL Minnetonka/Eden Prairie)
• Shawn Nelson (New Spaces) met with Sen. Melissa Wicklund (DFL-Bloomington)

This is just a small piece of the effort put forth by our members! Additionally, we had members attend the Day at the Capitol event in January, write letters in support of sprinkler choice and utilize the Parade of Homes^SM message on the safety of new homes. If you are interested in connecting with your elected officials on a policy matter, please contact Mary Schweich at 651-697-7572.

Finance Bills Begin to take Shape

Large bills containing many policy and finance provisions are grouped together by subject matter into ‘omnibus bills’. The omnibus bills are anchored by budget appropriations but frequently carry substantive policy riders. We are closely monitoring the mark-up of these bills which are working against a deadline of April 19th. Included in these discussions is the Street Improvement District issue, which has undergone several changes in the past week. For BATC members, we improved the new development exemption by clarifying that these fees would not apply to platted lots with completed streets if the structure had not been built. The exemption continues to apply for un-inhabitated structures, such as spec and model homes, and for three complete years following occupancy of a new structure. This provision is likely to appear in the transportation finance omnibus bill and possibly the tax omnibus bill.

Beltway Perspectives is a semi-regular column on the national economic and housing scene from Washington D.C. by Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D., GraphsandLaughs, LLC.

During the last year and especially the last five or six months, the economic data have been of two minds. On one hand, household net worth is way up, the stock market has been setting new highs and the number of millionaires is at nine million, just below where it was before the recession. At the same time, we read that the amount spent at restaurants, bars, and department stores recently fell as households compensate for higher gas prices and payroll tax increases by reining in discretionary spending. Which is it? Is the economy getting better or are households hunkering down? Turns out, it’s both. Behind this seeming paradox is the growing gulf between America’s wealthier households and its poorer ones. And the past recession has put this gap into bold relief [keep reading].   

It's Membership Directory time! If you haven't responded to our annual membership directory mailing yet, be sure to return your forms by this Friday, April 12th. It's important that we hear from you to ensure that our information is up-to-date and accurate. Contact Heather Litchy at 651-697-7573 with any questions.

There's still time to advertise in the 2013-14 Membership Directory. Call Kori Meewes at
612-801-9874 by Thursday to reserve your ad space.

NorthStarMLS takes an interest in MN Green Path:

BATC Executive Director, David Siegel, and Green Path Committee Member, Jay Berger, Berger Built Construction, presented an overview of Minnesota's Green Path program to the NorthStarMLS Board of Directors last week, and asked the Board to recognize third-party rated energy efficient and green certified homes on the data service. The Directors were extremely engaged and asked a number of excellent questions regarding the program, ranging from HERS scores and RESNET raters to industry trends and green remodeling options. NorthStarMLS Board Members also asked what steps BATC could take to ensure that more newly built homes are listed on the RMLS. BATC will continue to engage in collaborative dialogue with NorthStarMLS. 

As Generation X and Y come into the home buying market, research indicates they are strongly attuned to energy efficiency and will seek these features as they puruse their home purchases. Furthermore, recently released data from NAHB shows that home buyers will likely be able to afford more when it comes to new construction because of the low operating costs associated with new, energy efficient home options. Read the article >>

This effort is part of a broader approach by BATC to create a tighter working relationship with the Realtors. Siegel had met last month with Minnesota Association of Realtors Executive Director Chris Galler and the idea of a Housing Roundtable arose to collaborate on legislative issues. Galler called a meeting of related housing Associations, at which BATC Public Policy Director, James Vagle, and Siegel were in attendance along with Builders Association of Minnesota EVP Remi Stone. The Housing Roundtable will continue to meet as this session draws to a close, and has already begun discussion of concepts for the 2014 session as well as the upcoming 2014 election cycle.

Upcoming MN Green Path Training Session: If you're interested in learning more about Minnesota's Green Path, consider joining us on Monday, April 22 for information and updates to MN Green Path. This MN Green Path training session will give you the information needed to get started on the green path. Click here for more information; or contact Mary Schweich at 651-697-7572 with questions.

Have you viewed the Builders' Digest April-June edition yet? Get a sneak peek before the issue hits mailboxes this week.

In this Issue:

• Advocacy Update
• BRS Recap with Photos!
• MN Green Path
• 25 Top Ranked Builders
• Remodelers Corner: Marketing Tips
• Profile: Daryl Doehr & Brett Remme
• Members in the News
• More!

View the E-Magazine >>

Minnesota Ranks High in Safety and Service:

• Minneapolis is one of the most post-industrial metros in the United States, according to a survey that measures the ratio of services to goods produced in the country's largest metros. See where Minneapolis stacks up in the Top 20 list >>
   
• Residents of Minneapolis/St. Paul feel safe and sound at home. In fact, among the 50 largest U.S. metros, MSP ranks number one for areas in which residents are most likely to feel safe. See how many people feel comfortable walking alone at night >>

*Receive a BATC Bonus Buck, worth $100 in BATC Bucks, when you attend an event that's in our  2013 'Champion Event Series.'

Last Call - April 9
Re-Build Happy Hour hosted by YP's [register]
April 11
Remodeler Round Table [get more information]
April 11
Member Mixer [get more information]
April 18
Member Orientation [get more information]
April 22
MN Green Path Training [get more information]
April 26
Deadline to Enter for Remodeler of the Year [Enter now]
May 7
Showroom Mixer at Warners' Stellian [more information]
May 22
Parade of Homes Fall Deadline [information coming soon]
May 31
Walleye Invitational [register]
June 18
Showroom Mixer at Mingle [get more information]
June 27
ROMA Awards Banquet [get more information]

See Complete Calendar >>
View the 2013 Bonus Buck Events >>

Become an event sponsor: Take your membership to the next level by partnering with BATC. Contact Kori for sponsorship openings.