Capitol Connection

Senate Bill 17-156: Homeowner’s Association Construction Defect Lawsuit Approval Timelines

This week the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance initiated SB17-156, Homeowner’s Association Construction Defect Lawsuit Approval Timelines sponsored by Senator Owen Hill (R-Colorado Springs) and Representative Cole Wist (R-Centennial), and Representative Lori Saine (R-Firestone) passed out of the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee on Monday, February 27th. The bill will next go to the Senate Floor for their consideration. Thank you to all our members who responded to the Call For Action and attended Attainable Housing Day events at the Capitol. Also, thank you to a member of our Legislative Policy Committee, Jon Roberts, who testified on behalf of CAR at the committee hearing.

SB 156 is a comprehensive construction litigation reform bill that:

• Provides a common sense and balanced solution that protects consumers from faulty construction whiles also increasing diverse and more affordable options for home ownership.
• Encourages construction of housing options that are within reach of many first time homeowners, seniors, young professionals and others who have effectively been blocked from home ownership at a time when the state’s rental market has skyrocketed
• Defines a quick resolution process for homeowner associations who are trying to correct construction defects, while also protecting homeowners who are trying to re-sell or finance their homes from actions taken by their boards without their consent or knowledge.
• Does not preclude a single homeowner from pursing legal action for allegations of construction defects against a builder.
• Encourages new multi-family development near light rail and transit stations that provide easy access to commuting, shopping and urban-living options
• Provides a more stable environment for many Coloradans have been precluded from putting down strong roots, and for cities and towns are finding it more difficult to build established and less transient communities.

House Bill 17-1187 – Change Excess State Revenue Cap To Growth Factor

Today HB17-1187, Change Excess State Revenue Cap To Growth Factor introduced by Representative Dan Thurlow (R- Grand Junction), and Senator Larry Crowder (R- Alamosa) passed out of the House Appropriations committee after receiving earlier support out of the House Finance Committee on February 27^th this week. CAR took a position to support this bill today in the Legislative Policy Committee.

The bill modifies the TABOR excess revenues cap by allowing an adjustment for an increase to be based on personal income growth over the last five years, rather than adjusting for inflation and population. Colorado personal income is the total personal income for Colorado as reported by a federal agency. This modification may increase the amount that the state retains and spends in a given fiscal year, so the bill would refer this measure to the voters for their approval for the change, as required by TABOR.

Legislation like this removes fiscal constraints on government that have been set in the Constitution. It also places this decision correctly in the hands of the voters to make the ultimate decision as TABOR requires us to do. This measure will give us the ability as a state to invest when we are growing and tighten our belts when we are not. It would also allow the State to retain more revenue that could be invested in areas that can affect the value of real estate such as transportation infrastructure, higher education, K-12, and other areas to ease the tension on our State’s budget.

Senate Bill 17-050 Consolidate Forest Risk And Health Grant Programs

CAR supported SB17-050, Consolidate Forest Risk And Health Grant Programs, sponsored by House Majority Leader KC Becker (D- Boulder) and Senator John Cooke (R-Greeley). The bill passed third reading in the House today and will now go to Governor’s Hickenlooper for his consideration. Senate Bill 50 consolidates existing state grant programs related to forest management under the Colorado State Forest Service at Colorado State University and gives the University the authority to spend unencumbered balances in certain cash funds.

Specifically it:

• Renames the Forest Restoration Program Cash Fund to the Wildfire Risk Reduction and Forest Health Grant Program Cash Fund and extends its repeal date from July 1, 2018, to September 1, 2023;
• Repeals the Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on December 31, 2017, and transfers the balance to the Wildfire Risk Reduction and Forest Health Grant Program Cash Fund;
• Authorizes $2.5 million in transfers from the Severance Tax Operational Fund from July 1, 2017, to September 1, 2023, to the Wildfire Risk Reduction and Forest Health Grant Program Cash Fund and allows the State Forest Service to use up to $1.0 million of the unencumbered balance of the Wildfire Risk Reduction and Forest Health Grant Program Cash Fund with spending direction;
• Establishes eligibility and funding criteria for the grant programs.

CAR previously testified in support of the bill in the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Energy Committee and helped to amend the language to focus the consolidated grant on forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation that are critical investments in reducing the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires that could destroy homes, property, and essential community infrastructure especially in the wildland urban interface areas. CAR continues to support legislation that furthers the mission of Colorado Project Wildfire that enables Colorado REALTORS® to partner with other like-minded fire prevention organizations across our state to bring education and awareness, as well as access to fire mitigation resources directly to residents in their local communities.

Colorado TRIP Report Released by #FixItCO on March 1^st

#FixItCO is a statewide coalition (CAR is a member of the stakeholder group) that focuses on looking for a solution to our transportation infrastructure challenges. On March 1^st #FixItCO launched the release of the Colorado TRIP Report. TRIP, a national transportation research group, released the annual study on the state of Colorado roads, entitled “Colorado Transportation by the Numbers: Meeting the State’s Need for Safe, Smooth and Efficient Mobility.” (Read the full report here: http://www.tripnet.org/ )

The report finds that throughout Colorado, 41 percent of major, locally and state-maintained urban roads are in poor condition and six percent of Colorado’s locally and state-maintained bridges are structurally deficient. The state’s major urban roads are becoming increasingly congested, with drivers wasting significant amounts of time and fuel each year. And, more than 2,400 people were killed in crashes on Colorado’s roads from 2011 to 2015.

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!

Sign up for REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts

More than 50,000 REALTORS^® from across the country have already signed up for REALTOR^® Party Mobile Alerts – have you? Text CO REALTORS to 30644 to stay up to date on REALTOR® issues!  You’ll be among the first to know about NAR Calls for Action and more! Click here for more information.

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.

NAR Midyear Meetings in Washington, DC: May 15-20, 2017

The REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo is where NAR members take an active role to advance the real estate industry, public policy, and the association.  REALTORS® come to Washington, DC, for special issues forums, committee meetings, legislative activities, and the industry trade show.  Registration opens on February 15, 2017.  Click here for more information.

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.