Page 8 - Builder Brief May 2022 Issue

2022 PRESIDENT
WHAT HAPPENS IN AUSTIN AFFECTS US ALL
I just returned from the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) Board of Directors meeting with three action packed days of meetings. The Greater San Antonio Builders Association (GSABA) had an exceptional delegation in attendance at our state board meetings in Austin to include GSABA’s First Vice President Shad Schmid, Immediate Past President Ed Berlanga, TAB Immediate Past President Susan Wright, TAB Past President and NAHB BUILD PAC Chair Justin MacDonald, TAB Life Directors Michael Moore, Christian Finke, Beverly Koehn, Kathy Howard, and Leslie Schey along with Water Task Force Chair Cara Tackett, TAB Associate Committee Chair, Scott Whisenant, BBQ Chairman Colby Duke, Kevin Callendar and staff members Haley King and Kristi Sutterfield. There were several GSABA sponsor members in attendance who helped underwrite the cost of the TAB meetings and events.
For those of you who may not know, our State Legislature only meets in odd number years. Members of local builders’ associations from around the state met at the Westin Hotel to start preparing for the 88th Legislative Session that will start on the second Tuesday in January and conclude onMay29th,2023. WewerefortunatetohaveLt.GovernorDanPatrick speak to us during the meetings.
The Lt. Governor just released the 2022 Interim Legislative Charges that the Texas Senate will address prior to the next Legislative Session. The Business and Commerce Committee will be examining the causes and impacts of recent supply chain disruptions on the Texas economy and looking for ways to mitigate disruptions in the future. This Committee will also assess the electricity market in Texas and study issues impacting the Texas electric grid to include weather preparedness, transmission planning, maintenance scheduling, and the natural gas supply chain.
The Local Government Committee will address property tax reform, appraisal reform, special purpose districts, affordable housing, and extraterritorial jurisdictions. This committee will make recommendations and review the effect of various bills that were passed by the 86th and 87th Legislatures.
TAB has formed task forces to address Homeowners Association (HOA) and Property Owners Association (POA) issues as well as a Residential Construction Liability Act (RCLA) Task Force to explore ways to fix a few key provisions in the current law. The TAB Water Task Force will engage with the Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee to provide written and oral testimony on groundwater management and protection, the water supply, water utility infrastructure, and more.
The GSABA leadership team attended the TAB Legal Affairs Committee and at the TAB Board of Directors meeting, members approved three Amicus Brief Requests, all related to arbitration agreements built into contracts. The rash of stucco lawsuits was one of the hottest topics because an out- of-state law firm is walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors offering
MIKE SOWRY
inspectionsatnocharge. Severalofourmembers have been sued and we are closely monitoring this situation. We hope to pass legislation in the next Legislative Session to address this abuse.
The Codes and Standards Committee met, and a report was given about the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) adopting the new code body. There was an update on the new products mandate bill. Please see Kristi's article on page 10 for more information.
The race for Texas Governor was a hot topic of discussion. Beto O’Rourke, the Democrat running for Texas Governor, has raised $100 million compared to Republican Governor Abbott who has raised $60 million. There are 31 lawmakers retiring or not running for re-election and we will be losing some of our longest serving legislators that have a wealth of policy expertise. It is imperative that we continue to be engaged with our elected officials in Austin and D.C.
We will be sharing the dates for TAB’s statewide Rally Day that will be held in the first quarter of 2023. Please make plans to attend this important two-day event in Austin, Texas. Your involvement is critical to our industry!
Molly and I hope to see you at GSABA’s second annual Barbecue Cook-Off that will be held May 20th and 21st. There are a few BBQ team spots and sponsorships still available. Thank you for your support of the Association.
Sincerely,
8 MAY 2022 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION