We have put this update together for your benefit as a member of the HBA of Michigan Legislative Committee. Hopefully you will use this information at your local HBA general membership meeting to keep the members up to date on what is impacting them in Lansing. As always, should you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at dawn@hbaofmichigan.com.

Senate Bills 129, 130, 131, and 132 were not taken up in the house committee on Economic Development and Small Business this week due to conflicting substitutes being offered on SB 129. Representative Hoskins, chair of the committee, hopes to bring the legislation up on June 7. 

Senate Bills 302 and 303 passed out of the Senate, with the HBA of Michigan opposing. Both bills passed out of the senate with vote of, 24-14. It was opposed by 14 republicans, with four republicans joining the democrats in voting yes. While this bill directly impacts the Property Assessed Clean Energy program (PACE), there was language in SB 302 which we opposed in committee. Our opposition is specifically related to the language found in SB 302 on page 4 (q): 

Your legislative team had a meet and greet with Representative Noah Arbit, shout out to Norm Finkelstein and Michael Tobin for being mentioned in that meeting. We also had a meet and greet with Representative Jamie Churches. These meet and greets are a “getting to know you” opportunity where we give information on our association and the issues facing residential construction.

We also had meetings with Representative Tisdel to have a conversation on the regulatory issues and fees that impact the cost of housing. Stay tuned for an update on what is to come on that. Our final meeting of the week was with Representative Skaggs on his Statewide Septic Code. See more on this issue in the homework segment of this update.

Rep. Mark Tisdel

Rep. Phil Skaggs

Rep. Noah Arbit

Rep. Jamie Churches

And of course, it wouldn’t be a week at the Capitol if the Friends of Housing Political Action Committee (FOH-PAC) didn’t attend at least one fundraiser, and this week we were at four: Senators Camilleri and Bellino, and Representatives Kunse and Grant. Shout out to Bill Kipf for being mentioned by Senator Bellino. The FOH-PAC is your voice in the political arena, and we have a goal of raising $125,000.00 this year – we are not even close. If you want to make a voluntary, personal donation, help support with a personal check made out to Friends of Housing PAC and mailed to 6427 Centurion, Ste. 100, Lansing, MI 48917.

DRAIN CODE

I need your assistance. There are several pieces of legislation in process and I need your thoughts. The first focuses on the Drain Code. There are two bills: HB 4382 and HB 4383. These are scheduled to be in the committee of Local Government and Municipal Finance on June 7. We opposed these bills last session. I need your suggestions on if there are any amendments to be made.

STATEWIDE SEPTIC CODE

The second is on the Statewide Septic Code. HB 4479 and HB 4480 were introduced this session. In the past we have supported the concept of a Statewide Septic Code. Please take a look at the legislation and let me know if you have thoughts or concerns.

And finally, there is draft legislation to amend the Land Division Act. This has yet to be introduced, but I have been asked for feedback. 

BLUEPRINT FOR HOUSING

HBAM’s Blueprint for Housing can be found below. This is what will guide your legislative team in Lansing as we work on legislation and the legislature. Click to read.