LHBA July 2016 Newsletter

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

SB 336

One of the bills that garnered much attention during the regular legislative session was an instrument advanced by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors that attempted to redefine the Home Improvement Registration Law which has been in effect since 2003 as a subclassification of Residential Building Licenses. Included in the language of the bill were six previously implemented subclassifications promulgated by rule that went into effect in January of 2016. While we have been and continue to support the licensure of subcontractors who work on the foundation, structure, and exterior envelope of the houses we build, we could not support the proposal because of some technical challenges to the legislation.

It is important to note that the promulgated rules licensing Pile Driving, Foundation, Framing, Masonry/Stucco, Roofing, and Swimming Pool contractors are still in effect and requires any independent contractor performing such trades to be licensed for work in excess of $7,500.00 (labor & materials combined). Also, the existing Home Improvement and licensing laws remain intact. Contractors who perform work in the range of $7,500.00 - $75,000.00 (labor & materials combined) are still required to obtain a Home Improvement Registration and those who perform work in excess of $75,000.00 (labor & materials combined) are required to obtain a Residential Building Contractor license from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

2016 Legislative Session

2016 was a record breaking year for the number of legislative days in session. There was not only a lengthy regular session but also two special sessions. The special sessions dealt only with fiscal matters including tax measures and supplements to the budget.

The regular session was successful with a number of consequential bills defeated. Attacks on minimum wage, equal pay expansion, and an increase on business penalties did not pass. Legislation that allowed unlevel playing fields in the code and the weakening of current scrap copper laws also fell flat.

On the offensive front, several bills passed that helped the construction industry. Regulations were lifted on small potable water boilers and the sunset date for the scrap metal law was removed. This repeal makes the waiting period and the cash thresholds for copper sales permanent law.

The special sessions primarily focused on revenue raising tax bills. As most are aware, the additional penny on sales tax passed in the first special session. This penny tax does expire in June of 2018.

The second special session had more negative encounters on business taxes and income taxes. Bills that decreased itemized deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes all failed. Legislation that drastically changed business tax credits and exemptions were unsuccessful as well.

Although many measures were defeated by the legislature, changes were made regarding the inventory tax credit and the capital gains deduction. Please consult your tax professional on possible tax changes regarding your business.

Information Provided By: Michelle Shirley, LHBA Lobbyist

DEADLINE TO PURCHASE TICKETS IS JULY 18th - DON'T MISS OUT

PIRATES & MERMAIDS

Early Bird Reception Tickets Are Now On Sale Online at LHBA.ORG

Join us for a fun-filled event for the whole family during the LHBA Summer BOD at the Sandestin Hilton Resort!

YOUR TICKET INCLUDES DINNER, OPEN BAR, CRAFT STATION FOR THE KIDS, PIRATE AND MERMAID ACCESSORIES, MUSIC AND LOTS OF FUN! SEE WHAT'S ON THE MENU BELOW!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS

ON THE MENU:

Oysters, Boiled Shrimp, Chicken Tenders, Quesadillas, Create Your Own Pasta Station (includes Mac N Cheese for the kids), Crab Cakes, Carving Station with Flank Steak and Turkey, and Desserts

Lead Certified Renovator Training (RRP)

Contractors are required to maintain certification for the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP)

All firms that perform renovation, repair or painting work that disturb lead-based paint in housing and other child-occupied facilities built before 1978 are required to be certified.(Child-occupied facilities are those where children under age six are present on a regular basis.) The RRP rule applies to all interior projects involving more than 6 square feet, exterior projects of more than 20 square feet and all window replacement, maintenance or repair. (Note that the RRP certification is different from lead abatement, a separate classification.) Certification involves two steps:

1. Firms must submit an RRP application and fee payment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or to the designated state agency, if the state has an EPA-authorized program. Previously certified FIRMS should apply to renew firm certification at least 90 days prior to the firm's expiration date to ensure continuous certification. For more information about RRP firm requirements and to apply, visit www.epa.gov/lead.

2. Firms must also have at least one "certified renovator" on the job site where lead-based paint is disturbed. To become a certified renovator, an individual must successfully complete the Lead Certified Renovator Training course conducted through an EPA-accredited provider and pass the certification exam. The full course is eight hours.

NOTICE: All paid contractors, maintenance workers, painters and others performing renovation, repair and painting projects not in compliance with the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) are subject to penalties. For more information about the EPA compliance policies, click here.

NOTE: A Lead-safe Renovator's individual certification must be renewed before its expiration date. To maintain individual certification, a 4-hour refresher class (or 8-hour regular class) and test must be completed prior to the expiration date. Firms must apply to EPA for recertification at least 90 days before the firm's expiration date.

EXCEPTION: EPA has announced an extension for individual renovator recertification (beyond the expiration date shown on certificate) as follows:

Individual renovators certified on or before March 31, 2010, now have until March 31, 2016, to get recertified.
Individual renovators certified between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011, have 6 years from the date of course completion.
Subsequent certifications for renovators receiving the extension will be 5 years.
These extensions apply only to individual renovator certification, not to firm certification.

IMPORTANT!
You must provide a copy of your original RRP certificate
in order to receive a renewal certificate.
Please bring it to the Refresher class.

This Lead Certified Renovator Training will be taught by LSU AgCenter-LaHouse Resource Center instructors qualified through EnviroEd, a nationwide EPA-accredited training provider. Certificates will be issued by EnviroEd and sent via email, normally within two weeks of course completion.

8-hour Initial Classes:

Who should attend: Professional contractors, maintenance workers, painters and others who are paid to perform renovation, repair and remodeling projects in pre-1978 housing and child occupied buildings.

Nov. 15, 2016

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Location: Baton Rouge (LaHouse Resource Center)

Course Fee: $200

4-hour Refresher Classes:

Who should attend: Lead-safe Certified Renovators whose certification expires after this refresher class.

July 21, 2016

Time:12:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location : Baton Rouge (LaHouse Resource Center)

Course Fee: $100

20% discount for all LHBA members

REMODELERS,

GET THE CREDIT YOU DESERVE!!

Louisiana Home Builders Association Remodelers Council is hosting the 2016 Louisiana Remodeling Excellence Awards (LREA) for projects completed between May 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016. Winners will be announced on January 26, 2017 at the LHBA Installation and Awards Banquet.

All remodeling contractors, builders, kitchen & bath specialists, and other remodeling professionals properly licensed in the State of Louisiana may submit projects. Contact [email protected] f or entry packet information. Deadline to submit entries is November 1, 2016.

Continuing

Education

Credit Opportunities

Residential Builders must earn 6 CEU credits each year, even with a multi-year license.

There are no CEU courses being offered in the month of July. Stay tuned for opportunities in the coming months.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ASSOCIATION FOR UPCOMING COURSES

UPCOMING LOCAL ASSOCIATION EVENTS

Acadian Home Builders Association

August 4 - Executive Committee Meeting

August 24 - Board of Directors Meeting

August 26 - Annual Casino Night

September 13 - General Membership Luncheon @ River Oaks

September 19 - Doug Ashy Sr Golf Tournament @ Oakboarne Country Club

Southeastern LA HBA

August 3 - What Builders & Remodelers Need to Know -Roundtable discussing Liability Risks, Insurance, OSHA and Contracts & Warranties 9am-2pm SLHBA Office 147 Capital Blvd, Houma Sponsored by HBA Builders Risk / Free to SLHBA Members $25 for Non-Members

September 23 - Annual Golf Tournament at LaTour Golf Club 300 LaTour Blvd, Mathews 9:00 AM Tee Time $500 for a 4 Man Team

Information is submitted to LHBA by each local association. Please contact your local association for an up-to-date list of all events.

LHBA Events

LHBA Summer Board of Directors

July 27-29

Hilton Sandestin Resort

Sandestin, Florida

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