Starting the Conversation
State associations hold their annual events at the capitol.
One of the key tasks of a trade association is to advocate for its members, with the public, and with government agencies at every level. Early each calendar year, Iowa trade associations host member events at the state capitol so members and legislators can meet, share concerns, and get that conversation started.
Home Builders Association of Iowa
Jay Iverson of the HBA of Iowa says, “For 2024, it’s the year to get our proactive agenda across the finish line after working on several issues for the past few sessions.”
A top priority is a bill related to stormwater runoff that is expected to make it to the House floor soon. “The bill passed the Senate last session but got hung up in the House at the tail end of last year,” says Iverson. “It’s still under discussion, so we hope to see that on the House floor in the next few months.”
The original stormwater bill would have allowed cities to require developers to detain or divert stormwater that is actually runoff from another site, not from the property in development. An amendment was added to require cities to pay for additional costs when additional requirements are made.
“In its current form, the bill aims to relieve significant financial burdens on behalf of developers,” Iverson says. “We’re also hopeful that it will help encourage developers to create more opportunities since there are serious lot inventory problems adding to the housing shortage.”
He says builders and developers recognize that regulating runoff is important, but the cost of that effort is at the heart of this issue. “Without this bill, our members end up being penalized for the sins of the past because builders become responsible for everything upstream. We’re advocating a more balanced approach that won’t add so dramatically to the cost of land, which is already a major factor in the cost of housing. If municipalities want more regulation, it should be in the form of an ordinance that applies to everyone in the city, not just new developments.”
On the day of the HBA of Iowa’s annual event at the capitol, a floor debate was scheduled for the stormwater bill, so members were able to participate in and observe the debate among the state representatives.
“We always have a good turnout,” Iverson says. “Some industries don’t see the effect of legislation as quickly as the construction industry does, but our members feel those effects immediately. Each new regulation adds to the cost of building a home. Right now, the cost of complying with government regulation is 25% of the cost of a single-family home.”
Because those regulatory costs have such an immediate effect on HBA Iowa members, they tend to be active participants in legislative efforts.
“Most of the issues that we’re actively involved in are the result of members coming forward with concerns,” Iverson says. “Our coalition with other like-minded organizations has never been stronger. And we’ve become quite adept at helping each other out with issues affecting housing affordability and attainability.”
Learn More. Find out about the Home Builders Association of Iowa’s views on key issues.
HBAIowa.org/hbaiowapac
Iowa Association of REALTORS®
Nearly 300 members from across the state attended the Iowa Association of REALTORS® event at the end of January. It included a luncheon with a guest speaker.
“We have 17 local boards throughout Iowa,” says Ashlee Kieler of the IAR, “and each of them joins us for our Capitol Conference.”
The day was capped by an evening reception, where representatives could mingle and talk with association members as their schedules allowed.
“Last year, we had several priorities as an association,” Kieler says, “and we successfully accomplished each of those.”
One major accomplishment was a ban on exclusive listing rights in the state of Iowa, a move that protects both homeowners and real estate professionals. “This has been a concern in some states, where companies have attempted to contract for exclusive listing rights on a property for as long as 40 years. If implemented, it would mean future owners of the home would be required to list with that contracting agent or pay a percentage of the home’s value to break the contract,” explains Kieler.
Banning this practice protects the freedom of homeowners to choose their own listing agent and the right of real estate professionals to compete in a free market. The association was also able to clarify contract language related to licensure and liability during a home’s listing period.
For 2024, Kieler says the association is focusing primarily on two bills.
“One is related to wholesaling,” she says, “which can be perceived as a predatory practice that contracts land sales and does not work in the best interests of the landowner. The other bill is an exclusive buyer agreement, which protects all parties involved in a real estate transaction, outlining obligations, responsibilities, and expectations for each party.”
This second bill is the result of a proactive move on the association’s part. Kieler says, “We currently have this agreement in Iowa, but it’s not standard practice to use it. The legislative bill would make it standard practice. Having seen the benefits and the risks of not having such an agreement, we wanted to address this issue proactively and legislatively.”
Learn More. Find out about the Iowa Association of REALTORS® views on key issues.
IowaRealtors.com/political-affairs
American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter
Scheduled for late this month, the AIA Iowa Chapter will host its annual event on the hill, serving an informal come-and-go breakfast for legislators and members.
“Since the pandemic, the come-and-go arrangement has been even more successful for our organization,” says AIA Iowa’s Jessica Reinert. “We’ve found in our nearly 20 years of hosting an event at the capitol that legislators really appreciate the opportunity to stop by more informally on their way up to the chambers for the day.”
The morning’s open-house activity allows members to speak with legislators and their staff and share informational handouts highlighting the association’s stand on key issues and bills.
“As a licensed profession in Iowa, architects hold both a legal and ethical responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Iowans,” says Reinert. “We believe licensed professions should be monitored by the state to protect the public. Our activity on the hill reflects that.”
A successful 2023 session has provided momentum going into 2024. “We are monitoring a number of bills this session related to the built environment and how professionals in Iowa are regulated,” Reinert says. “Our efforts as an association have not waivered. We focus on issues affecting Iowans on a daily basis, including upholding building codes and standards to protect the safety of Iowans; energy efficiency and resiliency; making buildings affordable in the long term; as well as maintaining professional licensure through education, examination, and oversight.”
As tastes change and innovation brings new products and capabilities, those codes and standards continue to change as well.
Reinert says, “We’re passionate about creating livable, resilient, and prosperous communities in Iowa through architecture. Our annual event at the capitol is a great opportunity for us to share those objectives with legislators.”
Each of these associations has its own focus, and members can have conflicting views on issues before the legislature. These annual capitol events provide the opportunity for all those voices to be heard and for genuine informed debate to occur.
Whether you attended this year’s association events or not, you can still participate in the conversation. Learn more about each association’s views on key issues using their links.
Learn More. Find out about the American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter views on key issues.
AIAIowa.org/page/legislativeadvocacy