Capitol Connection: March 20, 2015
SB 177- Construction Defects Passes First Senate Committee
After a long afternoon with over 7 hours of testimony, SB 177 passed out of the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee by a vote of 6-2 with one excused. We would like to thank these senators for their votes in favor of this much needed legislation: Committee Chair Senator David Balmer, Committee Vice Chair Senator Chris Holbert, Senator Randy Baumgardner, Senator Cheri Jahn, Senator Tim Neville, and Senator Laura Woods.
In addition, we’d like to thank the many members of the community who testified in favor of this bill, and in particular, Mayor Michael Hancock and Mayor Bob Murphy for their leadership on this issue. Mayor Hancock touched on a number of important issues in his testimony; click here if you would like to review his comments.
Four substantive amendments to the bill were adopted by the committee to address opposition concerns related to aspects of dispute resolution. The amended bill is now waiting to be calendared on the Senate Floor.
Colorado State Budget Forecast Released
The state budget forecast was released on Wednesday, informing legislators they have little or even no money to spend on new programs going into the next fiscal year. The Denver Business Journal details some of the concerns and situations the Joint Budget Committee will be facing in upcoming months after this news.
Credit Reporting Firms to Improve Practices
On Monday, March 9, 2015, the 3 largest credit-reporting firms – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – reached an agreement with New York state to overhaul their reporting and error resolution practices. Many of these changes will be implemented on a national basis roughly over the next 3 years. Specifically, the firms will be required to use trained employees to review and resolve consumer disputes. For more information, click here.
NAR Participates in Flood Standard Hearings
NAR members and staff attended and participated in a FEMA sponsored Listening Session on the recently released Federal Flood Risk Management Standard. The Standard directs federal agencies who build new construction and other activities in floodplains to conduct this activity to a higher flood protective standard. To view key information and takeaways on this, please click here.
NAR REALTORS® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo REGISTRATION OPEN
The REALTORS® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo is taking place May 11-16, 2015 in Washington, D.C. We will be scheduling meetings with the Colorado delegation, and you don’t want to miss out! Register here today.
Racing with RPAC event at Spring Meetings
Racing with RPAC will take place April 21, 2015 6PM – 8PM. This fundraising event, hosted by CYPN, will be held at Johnny Martin’s Car Central in Colorado Springs and is open to all members. $50 RPAC investment required for entry and includes 1 drink ticket, appetizers, and games. Additional racing simulation games will be available for an additional RPAC investment. For more information or to register, please click here.
Stand Up 4 Transportation
Thanks to the efforts of APTA (American Public Transportation Association) and their amazing Chairman Phil Washington, cities across the nation are asking for the U.S. Congress to pass a long-term transportation-spending bill to keep transportation moving! Join Transit Alliance, RTD and others to demonstrate how Denver supports transit, transportation and infrastructure investment!!! On April 9th at 10AM, Transit Alliance will be having a Unity Parade beginning at the Market Street Plaza, followed by a Rally at Union Station. Please click here to view more details about the mission of this event.
