BIA Advocacy Update

Minnesota Worker Misclassification Law went into effect March 1, 2025

The new 14-pt test to determine if a worker is an employee or independent contractor went into effect March 1. 

Click here for information on what you need to be aware of for compliance. 

The Builders Association of Minnesota, Minnesota Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors and J&M Consulting filed a complaint in the US District Court for the District of Minnesota against the rule. We will update as more information becomes available.

North Dakota Legislature

The Legislature met the crossover deadline on Feb. 25, with the Senate adjourning Tuesday, mid-afternoon and the House around 10:30 p.m. and session resumed Wednesday, March 5.

BIA along with the North Dakota Association of Builders will ramp up efforts during this time now that there is a better idea of what bills are still in play; there were were 1,083 bills and resolutions introduced this session. NDAB is currently tracking roughly 30 bills related to housing, building and workforce development.

One of the bills we're tracking and testified in support of is Senate Bill 2225 while in Bismarck in early February. It includes a $50 million appropriation from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund to the North Dakota Department of Commerce for a Housing for Opportunity, Mobility, and Empowerment (HOME) grant program designed to support affordable housing infrastructure development. The funding will be allocated across different community sizes, with a maximum grant of $1,500,000 for larger communities. 

We believe this will assist communities across North Dakota in producing the housing our state desperately needs.

HUD Secretary Scott Turner addresses NAHB Leadership Council at the International Builders’ Show

Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) new Secretary, Scott Turner, pledged to work to reduce regulatory burdens to assist with our nation's housing affordability crisis.

During his speaking engagement at the International Builders' Show, he stated “A home is more than four walls. It’s the foundation of a thriving community." "To decrease the cost and increase the supply of affordable housing, we will terminate these unnecessary, ineffective and costly regulations.”

According to NAHB, he also pledged to work with home builders and all interested stakeholders to find long-term solutions that make homes more affordable, spur business creation and create economic opportunity for all Americans.

How tariffs impact the home building industry

NAHB has many resources on how tariffs impact the industry. NAHB has consistently fought against tariffs because of their detrimental effect on housing affordability, as they act as a tax on builders, home buyers and consumers. For more information, click here.