Construction Stormwater General Permit Update Heads to Final Stop                           

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizens' Board will consider the update to the Construction Stormwater General Permit in a hearing today. The Citizens' Board consists of the commissioner and eight members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate to four-year staggered terms. The final draft as presented by staff includes responses to several items identified by BATC this spring, including:

• Inspection Frequency Improved
  Inspection requirements triggered by rain events of 0.25 inches was moved back to rain events 0.5 inches, cutting on-site inspections and costs by 50%.
• Volume Reduction
  One-inch standard remains in rule; nearing voluntary MIDS standard of 1.1-inch, which MSP municipalities are increasingly requiring.
• Other Miscellaneous
  On-site rain gauge requirement modified to allow for readings near job sites.

Look for a comprehensive review of the Construction Stormwater General Permit following final action from the MPCA.

Sprinkler mandate for single family homes, a new park fee proposed, requirements for radon disclosure in all residential sales transactions…

Find out what passed, what was halted and what it all means in BATC’s 2013 Legislative Session Review.

Download the 2013 Legislative Review here >>

The Lead Paint Rule efforts continue to make progress as the House and Senate files have been introduced with legislation identical to the bill introduced in the last Congress.

The bill will reinstate the opt-out provision to allow home owners to decide whether to require LRRP compliance, allow remodelers to correct paperwork errors without facing full penalties, and provide an exemption for emergency renovations - providing that no children or pregnant woman are living in the house.

You can be most effective in support of this bill by contacting your Members of Congress and calling on them to co-sponsor S. 484 and H.R. 2093.

Last year we had a very successful Trends Section in our Parade of HomesSM and Remodelers Showcase® Guidebooks. If you would like to participate in the Fall 2013 Trends Section, we will be collecting quality images through June 30th. Contact Katy Ervin with questions: ​651-697-7594.

View the Spring 2013 Trends Section >>
Get More Information Here >>

Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf appeared as a guest on CNBC's Squawk Box last Thursday. His message: that "the housing recovery is healthier than it has been at any point since the recession and is poised for sustainable growth, despite rising interest rates."

Stumpf urged policymakers considering reforms to the mortgage market to avoid disrupting the recovery. "We can't kill the golden goose," he said.

See his comments on housing policy issues relating to mortgage policy, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and more. Watch the video >>

Republican Kurt Zellers, a long-time supporter of housing, announced his candidacy for Minnesota Govenor.

Why Homebuilders Are Optimistic

KARE 11 - "Homebuilders in the U.S. are describing themselves as "optimistic" for the first time in seven years" [watch the video].

Builder Confidence is at its Highest

NAHB Eye on Housing - "The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), a measure of home builder confidence, reached a milestone in June. Coming in at a level of 52, the HMI recorded its highest level since April 2006 and its largest monthly jump since 2002" [keep reading].

Minnesota Among Countries Fastest Growing Economies

Positively Minnesota - "The U.S. Commerce Department bureau said Minnesota tied California for fifth place in growth of gross domestic product (GDP) last year, based on data for durable-goods manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, wholesale trade, and finance and insurance" [keep reading].

Interested in advertising in the Fall 2013 Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase Guidebooks? Reserve your ad by July 2nd by contacting Kori Meewes at 612-801-9874. Ad materials are due on July 12th.

View Ad Rates >>

The continued trend of labor shortage in the building and construction sectors is becoming an increasing threat to our industry. NAHB issued a call to action yesterday to help get this issue in front of legislators.

Show your support. Call or write your members of Congress today at 866-924-NAHB.

• Len Pratt, Pratt Homes; Star Tribune: As White Bear Lake Shrinks, Property Values Sink [read the article].
• Pulte Homes; MSP Business Journal: Pulte Homes Gets OK for 100+ Homes in New Brighton [read the article].

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

June 27
ROMA Awards Banquet [get more information]
July 2
Fall Guidebooks Ad Deadline [see ad rates]
July 18
BATC Boat Cruise [register]
July 25
Member Orientation [register]
August 6
BATC Open Golf Tournament [register]
September 10
2013 Sponsorship Luncheon [get more information]
September 17
Clay Shoot hosted by BATC YP's [register]
September 24*
BATC Foundation Golf Tournament [get more information]   
October 15
Houzz Event [Information Coming]
October 24
Awards of Excellence Gala [register]
November 14
BATC Buck Auction [register]
December 12
Holiday Drive Member Mixer [register]

See Complete Calendar at WWW.BATC.ORG >>

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.