Capitol Connection: March 6, 2015
Senate Bill 177- Construction Defects
We expect CAR SUPPORTED SB 15-177 to be calendared within the next week or so in the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee. Because of this, we urge you to continue to share the Call for Action. Communicating our positions with our legislators is a vital component in representative democracy, and participating in this Call for Action is an easy way to do that.
CAR is a member of the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance (HOA), a coalition of local elected officials and business groups throughout the state that is looking for reasonable reform to help relieve our condo and townhome market.
If you have any stories or testimonials of buyers who could not purchase, owners who could not sell, or owners who could not refinance because their property was encumbered by litigation, please let us know at GovAffairs@coloradorealtors.com.
NAR Testifies on Patent Demand Letter Reform
On February 26, REALTORS® testified before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to curb so-called patent trolls—companies that use the threat of patent litigation to extort licensing fees from unsuspecting end-users. Vince Malta, NAR’s 2015 Liaison for Law and Policy, testified on behalf of NAR and the United for Patent Reform Coalition, a diverse group of American businesses committed to curbing patent abuses. To read his testimony, click here. Patent reform is crucial to REALTORS® as the real estate industry is more and more dependent on the use of information technology and software products to market properties and manage their businesses. To read more on where NAR stands on this issue click here.
NAR Supports Employer-Assisted Housing Bill
Representative Nadia Velazquez has introduced H.R. 480, “Housing America’s Workforce Act”. This bill creates a tax incentive for businesses to encourage more employers to offer employer-assisted housing benefits to their employees. Employer-Assisted Housing programs have been shown to be a successful private sector tool to helping lower- and middle-income families afford suitable housing where the work. For more information, 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.
Transit Alliance Spring 2015 Citizen’s Academy
The Transit Alliance is hosting their annual spring 2015 Citizen’s Academy from April 1, 2015-May 16, 2015. This is a great opportunity to discuss transportation, community development, and sustainability in Colorado. The class is limited, so please get your applications in to take part! More information, as well as the application, can be found here, and the deadline for applying is Friday, March 13th at 5PM.
