BIA Advocacy Update

Next ND Energy Codes Collaborative is March 11

Hosted by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), North Dakota Department of Commerce, Division of Community Services, these quarterly meetings serve as a way to discuss energy code adoption and compliance paths and solutions. Click here for more information on the codes collaborative.

The next meeting is 9 - 11 a.m. March 11, virtually.

Register here.

News from Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry 

The newsletter for March 2026 includes:

• Earned sick and safe time annual report
• Link to April 15 webinar on employee misclassification
• CCLD Spring Seminar begins April 8
• and more

Click here to read the newsletter.

BIA-RRV to host candidate events beginning next month

Your Association is preparing a series of opportunities for members to meet candidates running in local elections, with events beginning in late April.

In North Dakota, the filing deadline for local races is April 6, while Minnesota’s deadline falls later in the season. As filings close and the candidate landscape becomes clear, we will begin hosting forums for local races.

April–May Candidate Events

We expect to hold events for the following races this spring:

• Fargo City Commission & Mayoral
• West Fargo City Commission & Mayoral
• Horace City Council

Additional candidate events are anticipated in late summer and early fall for Minnesota and as the election cycle progresses.

News from NAHB: Senate bill that would exclude building materials from tariffs

The National Association of Home Builders worked with legislators to introduce the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act, which aims to ease cost pressures in the homebuilding industry by exempting many construction materials from current and future federal tariffs. It would immediately exempt many materials and allow importers to apply for tariff exemption on materials that aren't automatically exempted. According to NAHB, Roughly 60% of builders have already seen cost increases due to tariffs, and these costs are oftentimes passed on to home buyers and renters.

With a national shortfall of an estimated 1.2 million homes, this act would assist in creating a clearer, more predictable process for builders.

Key Provisions:

• Establishes a formal process for U.S. businesses to request tariff exclusions for materials used in home construction.
• Automatically exempts a defined list of commonly used building products within 15 days of application.
• Requires an objective review process for all other home‑building materials, with exclusions granted when tariffs would raise construction costs.
• Applies to all tariffs except anti‑dumping and safeguard tariffs.
• Allows businesses to seek reimbursement for tariffs paid before an exclusion is approved.

More information can be found here. 

Fargo LDC Code Connect was today at noon

The city of Fargo hosted another Code Connect on the 2026 Land Development Code, today, March 5, from noon - 1 p.m. 

Code connects are live, virtual sessions that feature updates, information and allows time for you to ask questions. Sessions are held every other month. 

You can watch previous code connects and find project materials here.