2023 NDAB’S TOP 10 BILLS

#10

HB 1499 would have created a Residential Partnership in Assisting Community Expansion Fund, with the goal of establishing an interest buydown for primary residences $400,000 or less. The bill was turned into a study in the House but failed to pass the Senate.

#9

HB 1330 modifies the preferred methodology when determining how special assessments are calculated. Introduced by Representative Roers Jones, it addresses inconsistencies in current processes that can allow for political subdivisions to made changes to its existing policy after the fact. While the bill would have ensured that property owners were assessed in a more consistent way, the bill was ultimately opposed by some cities that believed it would penalize them or limit the use of specials as a funding mechanism. The bill failed in the House.

#8

HB 1232 provides a $500,000 appropriation to the Department of Career and Technical Education for career exploration software. This software utilizes virtual reality technology and allows a student to be immersed in a construction environment virtually. The bill was passed and signed by the Governor.

#7

HB 1188 prohibits realtors from offering cash for long term listing agreements. This practice started in Florida and had recently been used in Minnesota. The bill passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor.

#6

HB 1106 stated that “an appraiser that works for an Appraisal Management Company must be certified/licensed in this state.” The language of the bill created ambiguity and could have potentially interfered with AMC’s that currently operate in the state. The bill failed in the House.

#5

SB 2707 began as an exemption for a nonprofit entity that is constructing or rehabilitating a single-family dwelling that will be given to or sold below the appraised value to a low-income person from contractor licensing requirements. NDAB initially opposed the bill due to the exemption, but ultimately worked with the proponents of the bill and the Secretary of State’s office to find a solution to the cost of licensing. The final version of the bill mandates the entity still be licensed, but at no cost. SB 2707 passed both chambers and was signed by the Governor.

#4

HB 1234 prohibits a city or county from adopting an ordinance, resolution, regulation, code, or policy that would have the effect of prohibiting the use of a particular energy source in new construction homes. Dubbed the “Ban the Ban” bill, it overwhelmingly passed both Chambers and was signed by the Governor.

#3

SB 2170 would have allowed a minor who is at least sixteen years of age to work in construction if a permit to do so is signed by the minor's parent or guardian. It also would have required the labor commissioner to make permits for employment available and file a copy of completed permits with the department of labor and human rights. Due to its conflict with federal law, legislators heavily amended the bill. The conference committee added a study to the bill that would look at creating a state apprenticeship office. The bill passed the Legislative Assembly and was signed by the Governor.

#2

Funding for career centers that would help develop high school students into our future construction workforce was of high priority for the association. Although initial funding was passed in the last session and special session, current inflation costs have caused many projects to halt until further funding could be identified. Funding was initially housed through multiple bills: HB 1185 would have appropriated fundings from the Coal Development Trust Fund, HB 1199 created a line of credit at the Bank of North Dakota to be used for projects, and HB 1019 housed funding to target the inflation. During the conference committee process it was revealed that additional dollars for inflation were taken from a fund to be used for broadband, and the funding was removed from the Commerce Department funding bill. Ultimately, an additional $8 million was added to the initial $26 million through the Information Technology Department’s budget bill.

#1

SB 2303 would have mandated basement depths. Introduced by Senator Luick, the bill prohibited basements constructed after August 1, 2023, from having a basement depth of more than one foot below the ordinary high-water mark of the underlying water table as established by a soil scientist or soil classifier. NDAB opposed the bill, calling it an unnecessary regulation that would only add to the rising cost of homeownership and that prudent builders address water issues at every site on a case-by-case basis. The bill failed in the Senate.