KCHBA Visits MO Legislators, Discusses House Bill 580

On March 8, KCHBA members made the annual trip to Jefferson City for Missouri Legislative Day. In the morning, members attended the annual HBA of Missouri meeting and ate lunch with representatives from HBAs around the state including Central Missouri (Jefferson City), Columbia and Springfield. It is always beneficial for members to gather in a room and have an open dialogue on local issues as well as share in the successes of our Missouri colleagues.

At the capital, members were able to meet with Senator Mike Cierpiot (R-District 8), staff of Senator Lauren Arthur (D-District 17), Representative Dan Hoax (RDistrict 54), staff of Representative Jon Patterson (RDistrict 30), Representative Dan Stacy (R-District 31) and Representative Mike Haffner (R-District 55). Topics of discussion between members and legislators included workforce development, regulations and permitting processes. However, the main discussion item was House Bill 580.

“The bill establishes a limit on the regulation of construction standards for insulation in new dwellings that political subdivisions may adopt and enforce. This includes requiring or having the effect of requiring new dwellings to have a wood frame wall cavity insulation R-value greater than 38, or to have a maximum air leakage rate less than five air changes per hour. An owner or purchaser of a dwelling shall not be prohibited from choosing to install, at the owner’s expense, any of the features described above if feasible with the design of the dwelling. An ordinance, resolution, regulation, code, or policy adopted in violation of this prohibition shall be null and void.”

KCHBA members reiterated to the legislators that it supports legislation that places reasonable limitations on local municipalities to implement construction standards in order to balance the need for the construction of safe and efficient housing with the need for obtainable housing.

Members emphasized that the level of compliance a home must achieve to satisfy federal, state and local building requirements is a significant driver of the market. Every new directive enacted by policymakers results in a financial consequence for the consumer. If Kansas City is to be a community that broadens the attainability of the American dream through homeownership, it must be mindful of the disqualifying effect new building restrictions will have on future home buyers.

Thank you again to the members who made the trip and represented the KCHBA!