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Date ArticleType
1/23/2019 Member News

OHBA Legislative Session update from Jodi Hack


The following is an update from OHBA CEO Jodi Hack on the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session, including OHBA’s government affairs staff and legislative priorities:

HBA Members,

Here we welcome the new year as we move forward to the 2019 Legislative Session. At this time, over 1,400 bills have been proposed and we don’t expect it to stop there. We are viewing each and every bill that comes to the table, prioritizing legislation that is most important to the building industry.

Areas of legislation that we continue to watch on your behalf:
    • Wetlands Urban Interface Code Change/Fire Mitigation
    • Third Party Inspectors – the validation of permits, Attorney General’s report
    • Rural ADU’s
    • Workforce & Education – Associate degrees for trade apprenticeship programs
    • Business & Labor – including tax and revenue packages, cost containment, paid family leave, overtime, 
    wage accountability    
    • Energy & Environment – including Carbon Reduction, Wetland Mitigation Rulemaking, Energy 
    Efficiency Standards, Cleaner Air Oregon, diesel emission standard rule changes, and DEQ fees, water, air 
    and land permits.
    • Housing bill package – including missing middle housing/infill, Goal 10 accountability and local barriers
    • Bills we pre-session filed: Construction Defect modifications, 80% completion to permits, assessment fee caps

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Ellen Miller, Lobbyist and Jameson Gideon, Intern as they join our government affairs and lobby team, including OHBA consultant Scott Barrie and myself.

Ellen has lobbied at the Oregon legislature and provided state affair services over the past seven legislative sessions. Prior to joining OHBA, Ellen served as the Legislative Coordinator/Urban Policy Analyst at the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) where she worked on statewide and local land use issues. Her experience with and knowledge of the legislature, the administrative rule making process, and our state's land use system makes her an excellent addition to the OHBA team.

Jameson comes to the Oregon Home Builders Association having worked as Chief of Staff to several State Representatives and brings with him experience in policy advocacy, consensus building, and resolving bureaucratic and legislative obstacles. Currently at Willamette University College of Law, he joins the OHBA team eager to achieve successful results for OHBA members.

It is sure to be a busy year, and the OHBA welcomes the opportunities to advance our advocacy efforts as your voice for the home building industry. You can track our legislative progress and initiatives by being involved in the OHBA, so don’t miss the opportunity to influence your industry through involvement.

Warm Regards,

Jodi Hack
CEO, Oregon Home Builders Association

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