FHBA Lobbying Saves Average Member $805

Now that Florida Governor Rick Scott has considered the legislation adopted by the House and Senate in the 2012 Legislative Session, the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) estimates that the passage of virtually all of FHBA’s legislative priorities saved the average member $805… a whopping 947 percent return on investment (ROI) based on each member’s dues paid to the state association.

“We have long contended that FHBA’s advocacy efforts have bolstered the bottom lines of our members,” said FHBA President Dave Carter of Winter Haven. “But now, we’ve developed a methodology to calculate the dollar impact of what we do… and it’s very clear that we’re delivering great value.”

Carter said the calculations are based on conservative estimates of what the typical member would pay to enjoy the cost savings created be an FHBA-achieved legislative initiative. The methodology assumes that developer savings translate into lower lot costs, which allow builders to lower their costs; and that builder/remodeler savings allow them to make their homes or projects more affordable, and thus more marketable.

The calculations were based on the average member having 32 employees and the average builder having eight employees (per National Association of Home Builders membership statistics for Florida), and that members pay an average of $25 per hour for continuing education credits.

FHBA’s legislative victories and their estimated value in the eyes of the members are based on new laws or state budget items that:

· Changes the definition of a bedroom to avoid needless re-sizing of a septic tank and drain field. ($50)

· Removes the requirement that a septic tank on abandoned property be automatically updated. ($50)

· Funds seven free hours of continuing education on building code training. ($175)

· Funds a septic tank study that preempts a mandate for more elaborate systems estimated to cost as much as $10,000 per unit. ($50)

· Limits the implied warranty statute to the structure of a home, as opposed to the home’s infrastructure, which could save thousands of dollars of liability insurance for developers. ($50)

· Extends the life of building permits to save builders/remodelers thousands of dollars in fees. ($25)

· Standardizes Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) environmental resource permit. ($10)

· Restricts metal recycling to reduce metal theft. ($50)

· Adopts state rules on EPA-mandated numeric nutrient standards, saving developers thousands of dollars in development costs. ($100)

· Changes the state condominium law to remove restrictions on bulk sales. ($10)

· Limits the proposed rate increase in unemployment compensation. ($200)

· Grandfathers licensed contractors as home inspectors. ($10)

Carter saluted the work of FHBA’s Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Engelwood builder Bil Truex and the lobbying efforts of the FHBA staff, led by Governmental Affairs Directors Doug Buck.

For details, visit www.fhba.com under Features/Legislative Updates.