Summer Government Affairs Updates GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS > ADVOCACY REPORT


HOME-PAC Mayoral Endorsements


On June 11, a group of about 40 HOME-PAC Trustees convened to screen five front runners in the City of Houston’s mayoral race for their endorsement. The PAC voted to endorse Steve Costello, founder of Costello Engineering and longtime GHBA member.


Local: Chapter 42 Changes Approved


By CASEY WATTS MORGAN, GHBA Vice President and Director of Government Affairs


On June 24, City Council approved all changes to Chapter 42 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, with the exception of an amendment to allow a variance to the construction maintenance agreement. (The legal department wanted to allow a variance to this requirement, but the Super Neighborhoods Alliance objected. GHBA was neutral because no variance exists today, and in an effort to move the other benefits forward, City Council decided to strip this amendment and pass the remaining changes.)


These changes were a result of GHBA meetings with Planning Commission and Super Neighborhood Alliance members over the previous two years, following the passage of


the initial Chapter 42


amendments. The purpose of these meetings was to address remaining neighborhood concerns and builder needs not addressed in the 2013 amendments.


These requirements went into effect on July 24. For more information, visit ghba.org/government-affairs-committee.


You Have a Voice with GAC!


If you have questions about this article or would like to get involved on the Gov- ernment Affairs Committee, call (281) 664-1430 or email Casey at cmorgan@ghba.org.


14


Additionally, for more about the status of minimum lot size and building line applications, go to: http://bit.ly/minimumlotsize.


National: Industry Fights to Overturn Waters of the U.S. Rule


On June 29, the “Waters of the U.S.” rule was published in the Federal Register. The rule will go into effect August 28.


With bipartisan support, the House recently approved H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, which would require EPA and the Corps to withdraw their rule and develop a new plan in consultation with state and local governments and other affected stakeholders, including small businesses.


NAHB is urging the Senate to pass companion legislation, S. 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act.


Now that the rule is finalized, NAHB has filed suit to have it overturned. Brought against the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, the lawsuit charges that the two agencies are “set and determined to exert jurisdiction over virtually every water feature imaginable.”


The lawsuit notes that the rule goes well beyond Congress’ original intent when it enacted the Clean Water Act and ignores the jurisdictional limits already set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court.


NAHB was joined in the suit by other business and agricultural organizations, including: the American Farm Bureau Federation; the National Association of Manufacturers; the American Road and Transportation Builders Association; the American Petroleum Institute; the Leading Builders of America; the National Alliance of Forest Owners; the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; the National Corn Growers Association; the National Mining Association; the National Pork Producers; and the Public Lands Council. In addition, as of mid-July, 28 state attorneys general have also instituted legal action that seeks to rescind the rule.


For more information, please visit the NAHB website at http://bit.ly/watersofUS.


AUGUST 2015 | HOUSTON BUILDER | GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION – BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52