August, 2010 

Government Affairs 

See “The Final Inspection” for full coverage of the 2009-2010 legislative session accomplishments of our Government Affairs team.

 

WBA defeated several proposals that would have cost you money, either directly in the form of needless higher standards, or indirectly in the form of more complicated red tape. Some of the misguided legislation that WBA stopped included: 

• Requiring builders to withhold 1% of payments to independent contractors. 
• Restoring “joint and several liability,” which means you could pay 100% of the damages in a lawsuit, even if you were only 1% of the cause. 
• Forcing landowners to pay higher taxes on land being used for farming, if that land is slated for eventual development. 
• Imposing a variety of new licensing and certification requirements on construction work, ranging from licensing “iron workers” who install wrought iron, to licensing “crane operators” who operate forklifts. 
• Requiring local builders associations and others from paying exorbitant fees just to register builder education classes. 

Weekly updates are provided in The Friday Update which you can request to receive by e-mail, or check out the current and archived issues on the member side of www.wisbuild.org > Member Information > Government Affairs > Friday Update.
 
•    BLAR dollars supported an effort to establish new rules by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  The rules suggested by WBA and other business groups were approved in their entirety by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  These new rules will assure that a personal or political action donation or endorsement or an independent ad campaign during election time are not reasons by themselves for justices to recuse themselves from court cases. 

•    WBA submitted comments to DHS in regards to Emergency Rule on Lead Safe renovations. Specifically disagreed with how the rule package goes beyond federal rule requirements both from a legal and policy standpoint. 

•    Citing inconsistencies, faulty data and regulatory overreach, NAHB and the Wisconsin Builders Association filed their principal brief supporting a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the new effluent limitation guidelines (ELG) and new source performance standards (NSPS) that builders and developers now must follow under the Clean Water Act. The lawsuit charges the EPA with exceeding its authority under the act and relying on improperly vetted studies to arrive at its numeric limits for the ELG and NSPS.

•    WBA successfully opposed a fee proposal from the Department of Commerce.  According to DOC Safety and Buildings Administrator Greg Jones, DOC is not moving forward with a continuing education course approval fee of $40, plus $5 per half hour of approval requested.  One local association indicated this fee would have cost it $3200, while Commerce estimated the fee would have generated $54,000 annually.  

•    WBA testified at a DOC hearing on a rule relating to the use of REScheck software to demonstrate compliance with the UDC energy requirements.  Among other items, we raised concerns regarding the costs associated with meeting some of the new energy requirements as they are reflected in REScheck.   

•    WBA continues involvement in litigation to help builders statewide, including litigation relating to Federal Effluent Limitation Guidelines for the Construction and Development industry, a challenge to an impact fee ordinance, and challenge to a decision that potentially greatly expands DNR’s regulatory authority.  

•    WBA continues to represent builders on a variety of regulatory issues, including rule proposals from EPA, DNR and Commerce.  

•    WBA Legal Counsel provided legal information to over 125 Legal and Building Code Hotline inquires. 

WBA Insurance Services
•    We provide discounted group health insurance for single employee companies all the way up to large companies. Health insurance, life insurance, executive benefits, business continuation planning, retirement plans, education planning and investment planning and analysis. WBA Insurance Services has made major changes to the builder exclusive plan to make the plan more competitive and a better value for the members. 

•    We are now licensed to sell health insurance plans through the following insurance carriers:  Dean Health Plan, Group Health Cooperative of Southern Wisconsin (GHC), Unity Health Insurance, Humana Group, HumanaOne Individual and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.  WBA Insurance Services continues to offer the member only health plans through Arise Health Plan and WPS Health Insurance. 

•    We offer a benefit discount card to all members of the association and their employees free of charge.  This discount card gives discounts on prescription drugs, vision care and dental care.  Information on how to obtain this discount card will be placed on the WBA website and distributed to all the local EO’s.  For more information you may contact the WBA Insurance Services offices. 

The WBA Remodelers Council  

The WBA Remodelers Council is a member’s only council that provides industry information, education and certification. 

•    WBA Remodelers has a member’s only group for discussions and information sharing on LinkedIn. Discussions, information sharing is available for members only. Keep informed about new lead regulations and learn how to protect your business against DATCP 110 and the fallout from the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in Stuart v. Weisflog.
      
Communications
•    Advertising available on WBA website and e-newsletter and the Badger Builder Magazine
•    WBA sites on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to keep you updated and facilitate member networking
•    WBA Logo wear is available-show your professional pride!

 

Convention
•    Convention Committee is already meeting to plan and prepare for an exciting conference February 11-12, 2011 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Besides all the great networking and recognition opportunities of past conventions we are offering more value with the addition of continuing education classes.  Both Friday & Saturday will include 3 marketing, business & building tracks all in one location for your convenience.  Watch for ways to put your company in front of industry professionals from around the state by partnering with WBA. 

Local Officers Council
•    The Local Officers Council is working with the Remodeler’s Council to update the WBA Remodelers Contract. The final product will be present to the WBA board of directors at their October 7, 2010 meeting in WI Dells. 

Building a Better Wisconsin
•    Twelve local association PAC auctions have been scheduled for 2010, with several other local associations planning to hold various PAC fundraisers throughout the year. Through the first and second quarters of 2010, members of WBA have already raised $79,850 in BBW PAC, Builder Direct Conduit, and NAHB BUILD-PAC funds, while distributing over $68,000 to support our friends in the local, state, and national political races who are running in elections this fall. 

Associate Advisory Council
•    Established a WBA Associates group in LinkedIn for all associate members to connect and network. 

Will be hosting a webinar on LinkedIn in the near future for those wanting to know more about it.