Annual Hill Visits Go Virtual

The National Association of Realtors® held its 2021 Realtors® Legislative Meetings, Home Front, virtually during the first two weeks of May. Over the course of the month, New Jersey Realtors® members, leadership team, and staff met with federal elected officials or their offices to discuss topics important to the real estate industry and homeownership. Although we miss being in-person for the annual Hill Visits, moving to a virtual platform allows us to meet with more offices and allows for higher Realtor® participation. Overall, we had 300 participants this year.

When we first went into lockdown last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the relationships like the ones fostered through Annual Hill Visits that helped the real estate industry stay open for business in New Jersey,” said 2021 New Jersey Realtors® President Jeff Jones. “Our connections and continued conversations with elected officials help keep the real estate industry, homeowners, and private property rights top of mind when representatives are voting for or crafting legislation.

This year New Jersey Realtors® had the opportunity to meet with the entire New Jersey Congressional Delegation. This includes the offices of Sen. Menendez, Sen. Booker, Rep. Norcross, Rep. Van Drew, Rep. Kim, Rep. Smith, Rep. Gottheimer, Rep. Pallone, Rep. Malinowski, Rep. Sires, Rep. Pascrell, Rep. Payne, Rep. Sherrill, and Rep. Watson Coleman.

2021 Hill Visits Agenda

With limited time with each elected official or their staff, it’s vital to have key topics of interest to discuss. This year, we focused on topics that impact the Garden State’s real estate industry, homeowners, and private property rights. Here are some examples of issues we discussed.

State and Local Taxes

New Jersey Realtors® believes measures to control and reduce property tax increases should be enacted.

Independent Contractor Status

New Jersey Realtors® strongly supports maintaining the independent contractor status so real estate professionals may continue to operate and serve New Jersey home buyers and sellers.

Lead Paint

New Jersey Realtors® has advocated for additional funding to address this issue on a larger scale while also avoiding stigmatizing properties.

Increasing Housing Inventory

NJ Realtors® has advocated for legislation and incentives to rehabilitate old housing and unutilized commercial properties to address the nation’s housing shortage.

Fair Housing

NJ Realtors ® supports legislation that would reauthorize and increase funding for HUD fair housing testing and enforcement programs.

NEW JERSEY LEGISLATIVE BILLS

A5454 – Mazzeo (D2), Armato (D2)

Requires the installation and maintenance of video surveillance cameras in construction of new multiple dwellings and existing multiple dwellings undergoing substantial renovations in certain municipalities.

New Jersey Realtors® Position: MONITOR

We are monitoring this bill as it currently only applies to multiple dwellings.

Bill History: 3/15/2021 – Introduced in Assembly and referred to Assembly Housing Committee

A5495 – Quijano (D20)/S3788 – Weinberg (D37)

Establishes penalties on planned real estate development associations for failure to provide association members timely access to certain meeting minutes.

New Jersey Realtors® Position: SUPPORT

We support this bill as way to increase transparency for homeowners in planned real estate communities so they have access to meeting materials to make them aware of decisions being made in their communities.

Bill History: 3/17/2021 – Introduced in Assembly and referred to Assembly Housing Committee 5/20/2021 – Introduced in Senate and referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee

A5536 – Burzichelli (D3)/S3590 – Diegnan (D18)

Allows formation of limited liability companies by real estate salespersons and broker-salespersons to receive commission income and requires certain disclosures on promotions.

New Jersey Realtors® Position: STRONG SUPPORT

We strongly support this bill allowing for certain real estate licensees to be paid commission through an LLC in compliance with federal tax law and creating a higher threshold for certain promotional items so long as they are disclosed.

Bill History: 3/25/2021 – Introduced in Senate and referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee 5/5/2021 – Introduced in Assembly and referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee 5/6/2021 – Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd reading in Senate 6/3/2021 – Passed by the Senate 38-0

3 WAYS TO SUPPORT RPAC THIS SUMMER

1. Attend a Summerset Patriots Game July 22

RPAC of New Jersey looks forward to hosting its first in-person event in well over a year at a Somerset Patriots game in Bridgewater on July 22. The Somerset Patriots, who recently became the Double-A minor league team for the New York Yankees, will play the Altoona Curve, beginning at 7 p.m. Those attending will be in one of two private boxes RPAC will have at the game. For two tickets, the price will be $250.

2. Virtual California Wine Tasting August 5

While COVID-19 conditions have improved, we realize there are still many who may not feel comfortable attending an inperson event. On Aug. 5 at 6 p.m., RPAC of New Jersey will be hosting a virtual wine tasting. Tickets to participate will be $150 per person and those attending will receive a flight of eight California wines shipped directly to your house prior to the event. On the evening of the event, attendees will participate in a virtual wine tasting led by a wine sommelier from In Good Taste Wines. Tickets will be available for purchase online soon.

3. RPAC Auctions auctions.njrealtor.com/auction

Invest by bidding in the RPAC auctions conducted online at auctions.njrealtor.com/auction/. From gift cards to your favorite coffee shop to waffle makers and air fryers to fun backyard games, there are a lot of great items to bid on and possibly win. As with any other RPAC investment, whether it be to a fundraiser or winning an item on the auction website, any investment totaling $100 made by Oct. 1 will also count for one New Jersey Realtors ® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® Credit.

Contributions to RPAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are voluntary and are used for political purposes. The amounts indicated are merely guidelines and you may contribute more or less than the suggested amounts provided your contribution is within applicable contribution limits. The National Association of REALTORS ® and its state and local associations will not favor or disadvantage any member because of the amount contributed or a decision not to contribute. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, any request for the refund of a contribution must be made within two (2) business days of the date on which you authorize RPAC to charge you for said contribution. Your contribution is split between National RPAC and the State PAC in your state. Contact your State Association or PAC for information about the percentages of your contribution provided to National RPAC and to the State PAC. The National RPAC portion is used to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 52 U.S.C. 30116.