BIA Advocacy Update

Minnesota Paid Leave begins Jan. 1, 2026

The Paid Family and Medical Leave program begins in 2026. There are a plethora of resources available to address questions and prepare you for the program. 

Access all information by clicking here. 

Prior to its start, employers need to hang a workplace poster in English, and in any language spoken by five or more employees. You can download the poster in English here.

You can calculate estimated paid leave payments via their calculator tool.

They've been hosting monthly webinars, the upcoming one is Aug. 14 from noon - 1 p.m. They have a library of upcoming events and recordings of past ones. 

North Dakota Association of Builders meetings in Minot, N.D.

BIA leadership and staff were in Minot last week for state meetings. They heard from special guests including Dr. Wayne Heckaman, Bakken Area Skills Center Director; Ryan Ackerman, Minot Area Chamber Board Chairman; Brad McCormick, Director or Job Corps Operations and Heather Voorman, NAHB AVP of Government Affairs. All had interesting information to share, particularly as it relates to workforce initiatives across North Dakota and federally.

We also received an update from our state lobbyist, Lisa Feldner, Integrity Public Affairs. Click here to read the report.

State meetings bring local association leaders together to share ideas and strengthen our collaboration statewide.

Above: BIA-RRV leadership and staff

Above: NDAB Board Meeting

Horace Land Use Ordinance Update

The Horace City Council voted on July 22 to update Mixed-Use zoning district maximum heights from 4 stories at 65 ft. to 2 stories at 35 feet. There were discussions leading up to the change by the Planning & Zoning Commission as well as discussion with City Council and representatives from the building industry. In addition to the change, there will now be work done on overlay districts for certain areas to have potentially higher buildings. The leadership also intends to discuss adjusting the maximum building heights in the Urban, Old Town and 17/76 zoning districts. 

We encourage you to remain engaged as the overlay districts are discussed. Upcoming meeting dates, agendas, minutes and videos can be found here. 

News from NAHB: Canadian Lumber Duties Jump Above 25% - With Higher Levies to Come Soon

The U.S. Commerce Department recently announced an increase of anti-dumping duties on Canadian lumber imports from 7.66% to 20.56% after conducting their annual review. This is in addition to countervailing duties currently set at 6.74%. The countervailing duty rate is expected to move higher shortly, with the Commerce Department scheduled to announce its final administrative review of the countervailing order on Aug. 8. 

NAHB is in objection to lumber tariffs because of their negative impact on housing affordability, as it's a tax on builders and consumers. 

President Trump also announced additional tariffs for other countries in late July.

To read the article from NAHB, click here.