Colorado Association of REALTORS | Capitol Connection
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Capitol Connection

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Feb 27 2017

Capitol Connection

Don’t miss out on the CALL FOR ACTION: Construction Litigation Reform

 

Ask your state senator to support SB 156, which fixes problems in current state law that have essentially brought the construction of new owner-occupied, multi-family housing such as condos to a halt. SB 156 would fix problems in the current law by providing a common sense and balanced solution that protects consumers from faulty construction while also increasing diverse and more affordable options for home ownership.

 

The Colorado State Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee is hearing SB 156 on Monday, February 27th.  The Homeownership Opportunity Alliance (HOA), along with many other construction litigation reform advocates, are hosting an Attainable Housing Day in conjunction with the bill’s hearing.

 

This is our first opportunity of the year to exercise the strength of our collective 25,000 statewide members and be the voice for Real Estate!

 

Here is how you can get involved:

 

  1. Don’t Miss Attainable Housing Day at the Capitol on Monday, February 27th.  Please click here to view the invitation.
  2. Attend the Press Conference on Monday, February 27th. Please click here to view the invitation.

 

III.  Contact Your Legislators with a Call for Action by clicking here.

  1. Check out the Talking Points for SB 156 by clicking here.

 

Make your voice heard now!

 

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

 

CAR supports 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 will be heard in the House Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources Committee on Monday February 27th. 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 these grant programs.

 

CAR 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.

 

House Bill 17-1161 TIF Tax Increment Financing Transparency

 

CAR voted to oppose HB17-1161 TIF Tax Increment Financing Transparency, sponsored by Representative Beckman (R-Littleton). This bill would have required urban renewal authorities (URAs) to prepare a public report no later than 90 days after the end of the first fiscal year in which an urban renewal plan using tax increment financing (TIF) has been authorized, and each year thereafter. The report would be required to include information on TIF revenue collected in the previous year, the taxing entities affected, how revenues were spent, projected TIF revenues for the upcoming year, and progress made on urban renewal projects. The report also had to include an independent audit of the URA’s financial status by a certified public accountant. If the audit identified that TIF revenue had been used for unauthorized purposes, the URA would be liable for the repayment of those tax revenues to the taxing entities. The bill defined eligible costs and eligible improvements for URAs, and specified that the annual public report be sent to each taxing entity via first class mail and email.

 

We are happy to report that this bill died in the House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor on February 21st. CAR opposed this legislation because it would have made these types of urban renewal projects more difficult to enact and operate. The new reporting requirements combined with the extra legal and financial advisement requirements go beyond existing statute. This bill also would have eroded the likelihood of businesses and local governments to finance infrastructure and incentivize development because the legislation could make it more difficult for bond holders and developers to repay their debts. Tax-increment financing is an essential tool for many municipalities and local governments to promote redevelopment of underutilized areas by paying for the revitalization up front and paying off the costs of that strategic investment with future revenue.

 

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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!

 

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.

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