In this edition of 'News You Can Use' you will find:



• Upcoming Events
• Lunch & Learn - January 29
• Remodeler's Council - February 5
• Legislative Session Preview
• NAHB Accomplishments
• Urban-to-Ag Water Legislation
• Tech Committee Recap
• Long-Range Plan Updates
• Arizona 811/Blue Stake Issues
• RTA Survey
• Volunteer & Career Opportunities
• Sad News: Passing of Jody Knoll

Lunch & Learn: “You Know the Building Code. We Know the Tax Code!”

Join us on Wednesday, January 29 at noon at SAHBA to hear directly from experts at Beasley Mitchell & Co. about contractor-specific tax strategies for your business and personal returns. You will learn helpful hints about Qualified Business Income and retirement plans as well as get a preview of tax changes coming in 2026.

Click here to register.

Registrar of Contractors at February Remodeler’s Council Meeting

Please join us on Wednesday, February 5 at noon at SAHBA for the Remodeler’s Council meeting. Our guest speaker will be Mr. Tom Cole, Director of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Mr. Cole will be providing an update on the Department’s priorities for 2025, the legislative session and efforts to restrict unlicensed contracting. Lunch will be provided.

Register by clicking here.

ADVOCACY

Legislative Session Preview

The 2025 Legislative Session is now underway! As usual, SAHBA will be actively involved in advancing the issues of housing affordability and reducing the regulatory burden on home builders and related professions. We are looking to build on the progress of last year when we focused on affordable housing and water related bills. Representing us at the Capitol is our long-time partner, Copper State Consulting. They are our eyes and ears on the ground helping us stay engaged on key issues. Check out this preview of what they expect for the session.

NAHB Accomplishments

NAHB’s advocacy team posted key wins for members in 2024, including making housing a top priority at all levels of government and making progress on key regulatory, codes, workforce development, supply chain, permitting, impact fees and tax issues. Check out the details of their efforts. Remember, every SAHBA member is also a member of the National Association of Home Builders.

Urban-to-Ag Water Legislation

As the need for increased housing supply continues to be a top priority in Southern Arizona, and around the state, one of the key policy discussions centers around the conversion of agricultural land to residential subdivisions. Specifically, legislation is needed to create an incentive for landowners to convert irrigated agriculture to urban uses that pump less groundwater. While such a bill was approved by the legislature last session, it was vetoed by Governor Hobbs. This week, SAHBA participated in a stakeholder meeting to revisit the issue with the goal of having the full support of stakeholders and the Governor.

Tech Committee Recap

This month’s Tech Committee Meeting featured several key presentations and updates. Francis Hemmah, Water Engineering Manager for Marana Water, outlined the process for assuring sewer capacity, while Chief Chuck Wunder of the Santa Rita Fire District discussed changes to the fire flow testing process for the Town of Sahuarita. On water and environmental matters, Dr. Greg Saxe provided an update on Pima County’s Floodplain Management Plan, and Elizabeth Leibold from Tucson’s Department of Transportation and Mobility shared progress on the Tucson Floodplain Management Plan. If you would like to be more engaged in either of the Floodplain Management Plans, please contact Brendan@sahba.org.

Long-Range Plan Updates

Southern Arizona jurisdictions are actively updating their long-range plans to establish overarching community policies, as well as guide future growth. The City of Tucson is focusing on its "Plan Tucson", encouraging public feedback on Chapters 1-5 until January 31^st. Pima County is revisiting its Comprehensive Plan "Pima Prospers", which Development Services is also seeking public comment on its preliminary draft. Oro Valley’s “Path Forward” collected over 9,000 responses, which were provided to help create Oro Valley’s next 10-year action plan. There's still time to sign up to join a Resident Working Group. Each jurisdiction is tailoring its updates to reflect local community needs.

Arizona 811/Blue Stake Issues

As previously reported, we’ve heard growing concerns from members about excessive enforcement and inspections related to Arizona's Underground Facilities Law (Arizona 811, formerly Blue Stake). These issues, overseen by Arizona's Office of Pipeline Safety, have sparked significant challenges for many in the industry. As part of our efforts to address concerns, we recently held a meeting with Corporation Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson to provide members an opportunity to voice their concerns directly. We encourage members to share any additional updates or concerns to help inform our ongoing advocacy efforts. Feedback can be sent to Brendan@sahba.org.

RTA Survey

The Regional Transportation Authority needs your input on its draft, $2.46 billion regional transportation plan via a public survey. The 20-year RTA Next draft plan includes roadway, transit, safety, ADA, bicycle, pedestrian and environmental improvements for the greater Tucson region. The regional investment will generate thousands of transportation industry jobs and permanent jobs over the life of the plan and enhance the safety, reliability and connectivity of the transportation network for you, your family and the local business community. The RTA Board will consider your feedback before it prepares a final draft plan for voter consideration as early as November 2025. The RTA invites you to take a brief survey at RTAnext.com/survey. Invite family and friends to participate as well. Thanks for your time.

VOLUNTEER & JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunity: Festival of Books

The Tucson Festival of Books is one of the premier book festivals in the United States. It is truly a community-wide celebration of literature that features hundreds of local and national exhibitors with literacy-focused booths and activities.

This massive effort can’t be done without the work of hundreds of dedicated volunteers. If you’d like to lend your support, you can sign-up to volunteer today!

Director of Development Services, Pima County

Pima County is seeking an innovative and strategic leader to serve as our Development Services Director, overseeing an $8.8 million enterprise fund budget and leading a team of 56 dedicated professionals. Click here for the job posting.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Upcoming Meetings & Events

BRE - Tuesday, February 4, 7:30 AM at SAHBA

Remodeler's Council - Wednesday, February 5, NOON at SAHBA

Technical Committee - Tuesday, February 18, 3:30 PM at SAHBA (Hybrid)

2025 Tucson Land and Housing Forecast - Thursday, February 27, 3 PM at Hacienda Del Sol

• Sad News - Passing of Jody Knoll: SAHBA is saddened to hear about the passing of SAHBA Member Jody Knoll of EPAC, LLC. Our thoughts and prayers are with his father Jay and the rest of the family. Please note, EPAC will be ceasing operations.
• NAHB Commends House Passage of Forestry Bill: The House has passed NAHB-supported legislation that will contribute to better forest management practices, help strengthen the nation's housing supply chain and promote affordable housing opportunities for all Americans. Read more...
• Senate Introduces NAHB-Supported Workforce Development Bill: Sens. Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have introduced the CONSTRUCTS Act, legislation that will support the construction workforce... Read more....
• NAHB Commends Resolution to Block Biden's Gas Water Heater Ban: NAHB strongly supports congressional resolutions introduced in both chambers of Congress that seek to block the Biden administration's recent attempt to ban natural gas water heaters. Read more...
• Building Codes Bill Championed by NAHB Introduced in House: NAHB-supported bipartisan legislation introduced in the House would help jurisdictions preserve local control over the building code adoption process. Read more...
• NAHB Commends President Trump's Executive Order on Housing: Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan., issued a statement after President Trump issued an executive order on housing relief. Read more...