Welcome to the second week of the legislative session…
Regulation of Home Inspectors is calendared for January 31st.
CAR initiated Senate Bill 17-038, Concerning Regulation of Home Inspectors by Senator Nancy Todd (D-Aurora) was introduced last week and will now be heard in the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on January 31st. Today, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) officially voted to support the bill and CAR will prepare testimony on this important legislation. SB17-038 makes it unlawful for a person to act as a home inspector without first registering with the department of regulatory agencies. This year’s bill would require a home inspector to pay a registration fee, show proof of possession of minimum liability insurance coverage and a surety bond, and submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. The registration program would sunset in five years.
CAR believes SB 17-038 is a consumer protection bill that standardizes some requirements for professionals wishing to undertake the important responsibility of home inspection without creating a burdensome barrier to entry for new businesses. For consumers, one of the biggest transactions they make during the course of their lifetime is the sale or purchase of a home. Home Inspectors have a tremendous amount of access to the most private aspect of a consumer’s living space — their home. Incidents of burglary, incorrect reporting, and even threats to personal safety are not what consumers should be worrying about as they participate in a real estate transaction. Home Inspectors are the only professional in the transaction that is not currently regulated who can have a significant impact on the outcome of the real estate transaction.
Commission and Division of Real Estate Sunset Update
Next Wednesday, the first pre-hearing on the Division of Real Estate Sunset will be held in the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee. This pre-hearing will be a chance to hear from the Department of Regulatory Agencies Policy Analyst and stakeholders on the DORA Sunset Report. This will be the first opportunity for CAR to share with committee members our comments on the report. Additional bill committee hearings will occur in both houses subsequent to this initial pre-hearing.
CAR General Counsel, Scott Peterson, will represent CAR at Wednesday’s hearing and walk the committee through our comments and concerns. Continue reading future editions of the Capitol Connection to stay apprised about the Sunset Review and CAR’s work on your behalf.
Senate Bill 86: Authorize Local Governments Inclusionary Housing Programs
Today, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) voted to oppose SB17-86, Authorize Local Governments Inclusionary Housing Programs introduced by Senator Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). This bill would clarify the existing rent-control statute and allow local governments to adopt inclusionary housing programs. These inclusionary housing programs can include: a) setting aside a percentage of new development for affordable units, developer incentives to promote affordable housing, cash-in-lieu or land dedication to local governments, specifying periods of time that housing remains affordable or targeting a certain income range.
CAR believes this legislation could be back door erosion for the current prohibition of municipal rent control, which was the foundational legal ruling in the 2000 Colorado Supreme Court case Town of Telluride, Colorado v. Lot Thirty-Four Venture LLC.
Invest in RPAC
The purpose of RPAC is to support candidates that support REALTORS®. Our goal is to get pro-REALTOR® candidates elected at the local, state, and federal levels – candidates that share our support for homeownership, protect property rights, and who will listen to our concerns. Investing in RPAC is one of the easiest things you can do to protect your business. Our goal in 2017 is to raise $600,000 to continue to support our REALTOR ® champions and ensure we achieve the policy outcomes necessary to protect property rights. Click here to invest today!
REALTOR® Day at the Capitol: February 8th is SOLD OUT
We will not have on-site registration for this event. For our attendees, we are looking forward to seeing you on February 8th. Lunch will begin promptly at 11:30AM featuring Keynote Speaker Henry Sobanet, Director of the Office of State Planning and Budgeting. The afternoon program will take place in the Old Supreme Court Chambers of the Capitol with visits from Lt. Governor Donna Lynne and caucus leadership from both the House and Senate.
Colorado Project Wildfire
Developed by the Colorado Association of REALTORS®, Project Wildfire is designed to help reduce the destruction of land, property, and lives. Working in partnership with other like-minded fire prevention organizations across the state, local REALTOR® associations are bringing education and awareness, as well as access to resources, directly to residents in their local communities. To learn more about Colorado Project Wildfire, click here.
Transit Alliance Spring 2017 Citizen’s Academy
The Transit Alliance is hosting their annual spring 2017 Citizen’s Academy from April 5, 2017 – May 17, 2017. This is a great opportunity to discuss transportation, community development, and sustainability in Colorado. The class is limited, so please get your applications in soon. More information and the application can be found here. The deadline to apply is March 17, 2017.