BAM NEWS
In Executive Vice President, Pam Perri Weaver’s absence the staff has a few things to report…
NAHB Success: Extension on Renovation, Painting, & Repair (RRP) Lead RuleNAHB has been pushing for an extension on the EPA’s RRP Lead Rule to allow contractors and subcontractors more time to get trained since there has been a lack of certified trainers and training opportunities. NAHB was successful and the EPA has pushed back the deadline for RRP Lead training required to work in homes built prior to 1978.
The rule went into effect April 22nd, but now remodelers have until October 1st to file for firm certification, until September 30th for workers to register and until December 31st to take the required training course. Remodelers will still be required to use lead-safe work practices during this time.
So if you haven’t gone through the training yet, there’s still time.
Some Building Permit Fees
To Increase By $5 On July 1, 2010
A new change in state law requires municipalities to increase fees for “fixed fee” building permits by $5. The permit increase will be in effect for one year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011. This additional revenue will be transferred to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s operating budget to help offset funding that the State Legislature reallocated to the state’s general fund.
Valuation based permit fees will not be affected. This includes building permits for new home construction and most remodels and additions. Contact your local building inspection department to determine if a specific project’s building permit fee will be increased.
Project ReEnergize:
Now An Award Winning Program
BAM is a member of the Midwest Society of Association Executives (MSAE) and this month was the MSAE annual meeting and awards banquet. We are proud to announce BAM was given one of the top awards this year for the work we did on Project ReEnergize made possible by the MN Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security.
The MSAE Awards of Excellence program, started in 1994, is designed to recognize association activities and programs that make a difference within associations, the community or both.
NAHB Advocates For Project ReEnergize In Home Star Bill Comments
Earlier this month the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) submitted comments to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources’ Chairman Jeff Bingaman and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski regarding the latest version of the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (S.3434). On pages 3 and 5 of the comments NAHB lobbies for Project ReEnergize funding.
Charlie Durenberger Interviewed By Star Tribune
Charlie Durenberger, Enforcement Services Manager for the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) was interviewed and two articles published by the Star Tribune.
1) In the first article Durenberger talks about how homeowners can protect themselves when something goes wrong with a contractor.
View here: http://bamn.org/Documents/20100607StartribuneArticle1.pdf
2) The second article Durenberger gives tips to homeowners when hiring a contractor.
View here:
http://bamn.org/Documents/20100607StartribuneArticle2HiringAContractor.pdf
New MN Codebook Hot Off The PressThe International Code Council (ICC) has just published a Minnesota specific version of the state’s mechanical, fuel gas and plumbing codes. All the Minnesota specific changes are printed right in this book. Order for $97 plus shipping directly from ICC by clicking the link below.
2009 Minnesota State Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Plumbing Codes Chapters 1346 and 4715
Pass the word onto your subcontractors. And you thought your June couldn’t possibly get any more exciting!
A Rev ‘N Ride Thank You
BAM held it’s first spring Rev‘N Ride May 22nd and despite a little rain was a great event. The ride raised $150 for BAM-PAC. A big thank you to all who participated and proved Minnesotans are a hearty people!
Be sure to mark your calendars for the next Rev‘N Ride happening August 21st. Location and route information to come. See you there!