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Government Affairs • The last three months of the Texas Legislative Session are without question the busiest. Legislative Session is a marathon 140 days every two years, and with the conclusion of the 82nd Legislative Session on May 31 the final days, hours and minutes are critical. There were approximately 5,796 total bills filed, and there were many recognized legislative victories protecting the building industry and community in Texas.
• A special thank you to all who contacted your legislators relating to a number of key pieces of legislation aiding in the defeat or passage of the bills. A special thank you to our Houston delegation and our legislators across the state including: Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville), Senator Royce West (R-Dallas) and Representative Harold Dutton (R-Houston). During the 82nd Legislature Session, these gentlemen legislated with diligence and executed a deep measure of thought for our valuable business community here in Texas.
Key Legislation Signed into Law: • SB 573 – Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville), Sen. Mario Gallegos (D-Houston), Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston): Relating to certificates of public convenience and necessity for water or sewer services.
(R-North Carrollton) and Representative Paul Workman (R-Austin): Relating to the regulation by a property owners' association of the installation of solar energy devices and certain roofing materials on property.
• SB 694 – Senator Royce West (D-Dallas): Relating to the regulation of metal recycling entities; providing penalties. We are pleased that SB 694, which further regulates metal recycling entities, has been sent to the Governor. HB 2262 is the House version of the bill authored by Representative Wayne Smith. His efforts were extremely advantageous in passing this major legislation.
• HB 8 – Representative Drew Darby (R-San Angelo): Relating to prohibiting certain private transfer fees and the preservation of private real property rights; providing penalties. It would provide that a private transfer fee obligation would not be binding or enforceable against a subsequent owner or subsequent purchaser of an interest in real property except fees paid to a seller, real estate commissions, payments to a lender, payments made to a lessor under a lease, real estate transfer fees, governmental fees, payments owed to a property owner's association, or payments owed for a club membership related to the property.
• HB 362 – Representative Burt Solomons MA_8.5X5.5Ads_2011 1/6/11 3:50 PM Page 1
• *For a full listing of legislation affecting our industry, visit G-News at
www.ghba.org/ political-advocacy/gnews/archives. G-News is GHBA’s session weekly government affairs newsletter.
National – HR 1755 • On May 5, Congress introduced legislation addressing the lack of liquidity in the Acquisition, Development & Construction (AD&C) loan market and allows banks to start lending again. The GHBA and several members have been instrumental in engaging our Congressional delegation on the issue leading up to its introduction. Those in our Houston Congressional Delegation who have signed on as co-sponsors include: Congressman Al Green, Congressman John Culberson, Congressman Gene Green, Congressman Pete Olson and Congressman Ted Poe. Thank you to those members who kindly joined us to meet with the Houston Congressional delegation.
Green Built Gulf Coast • At the 2011 New Home and Remodeling Show, Green Built Gulf Coast (GBGC) was an acclaimed highlight. The purpose of the GBGC booth was to generate interest and inform the public on the ANSI accredited green building program. The GBGC constructed home model featured various green building attributes that contribute point values to the program. This was an extraordinary endeavor spearheaded by builders and associates on the Green Building Committee. The total number of GBGC homes certified surpassed 800, and several additional builders have joined the program.
National Association of Home Builders
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www.nahb.org/MA
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AUGUST 2011 | HOUSTON BUILDER | GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION – BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE
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