BIA Advocacy Update

BIA - Founding member of FMWF Chamber Center for Civic Engagement

BIA became a founding member of the Center for Civic Engagement based on the center's mission to prepare individuals for public office and supports businesses that encourage civic participation. They do this through: 

1. Cultivating Community Leaders
2. Investing in People
3. Fostering a Culture of Service
4. Leading by Example

Through joining this group of organizations and businesses in the community, BIA made a commitment to: 

• Provide employees with time and resources to explore civic opportunities without career setbacks,
• Strengthen local communities by preparing informed, business-minded leaders to step into public office,
• Foster a culture of engagement, responsibility, and leadership within the workplace.

Your Association encourages you to consider joining this group dedicated to encouraging greater civic engagement in our communities. By joining, you will also receive an employer toolkit and opportunities to attend events geared towards increasing civic knowledge.

The BIA's mission is "Advancing a quality-driven building industry through bold advocacy, innovative construction and a deep commitment to community, homeownership, workforce growth and professional excellence." This includes encouraging industry leaders to pursue opportunities in government and helping our membership stay informed about elected officials and candidates.

For more information or for questions, reach out to Charlie Adams, Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at cadams@fmwfchamber.com or (701) 809-6262.

NAHB chief economist shares market update at Association Management Conference

Dr. Robert Dietz, NAHB chief economist, addressed association staff at the recent Association Management Conference that took place in St. Louis, MO, Aug. 25-27. 

The overall sentiment was uncertainty. With questions surrounding tariffs, industrial policy, immigration policy and dollar and precious metal volatility, there is an air of uncertainty in the economy and increased risk in the bond market. 

Dietz also mentioned that future federal rate cuts remain uncertain. NAHB forecasts that rates will remain unchanged for the rest of 2026, with inflation keeping mortgage rates above 6%. In addition to rates, the industry is facing increases in material prices, particularly for aluminum and copper, impacting budgets and ultimately affordability for consumers. 

The labor market has also cooled, with a low hire and a slow fire market, leading to difficulties in attracting skilled labor.

Altogether, these happenings continue to impact affordability, construction activity and builder and consumer confidence. This highlights the importance of advocacy work being done at your local, state and national association levels. By advocating for policies that support the housing and building industries, associations play a key role in ensuring a good building environment. 

North Dakota Legislative Special Session convenes tomorrow

In early August, Governor Kelly Armstrong called a special session to convene on Sept. 2 to consider "a statutory framework to regulate or prohibit the creation, manufacture, delivery, distribution, sale, purchase, possession, and mislabeling of kratom and kratom products, including the establishment of appropriate criminal penalties, and for other purposes as determined by the Legislative Assembly."

In addition to kratom, they will also discuss the primary residence tax credit, data centers and the ND military museum project. For specific information on the bills being addressed, click here.

News from National: 2027 Building Codes are finalized

The International Code Council released the final results of the Public Comment Hearings and Online Governmental Consensus Vote. This is the final stage of the 2024-2026 code development cycle leading to the 2027 International Building Code, International Residential Code (IRC) and the other 2027 I-Codes. 

A few significant changes opposed by NAHB were approved for the 2027 I-codes including:

• Expanding flood-resistant design requirements in the IBC and IRC to the 500-year floodplain and 500-year floodplain elevation.
• Requiring natural light be provided in multifamily dwelling unites where living, dining and sleeping rooms have a floor area of 70 sq. ft. or more. 
• Expanding the scope of the International Fire Code to cover energy storage systems installed in dwellings within the scope of the IRC.

However, wins included:

• Approval of IBC and IRC proposals referencing the ICC 1200, 1205 and 1210 standards for off-site construction, providing uniform construction and inspection requirements for modular homes and buildings. 
• Approval of IBC and IRC proposals provisions to allow the re-use of salvaged lumber for structural purposes if evaluated by a certified lumber grader.
• Disapproval of an International Wildland-Urban Interface Code proposal from California for the highest-risk wildfire hazard areas that was approved during the 2024 committee hearings but disapproved at the recent public comment hearings. 
• Disapproval of an IWUIC proposal to require submission of fire protection plans prepared by a registered design professional or an approved landscape architect or fire safety specialist.

The 2027 I-Codes will be published in stages throughout 2026 and early 2027. The IBC, IFC and IWUIC are anticipated to be published in Sept. 2026 and the IRC in Feb. 2027. 

NAHB will provide a 2027 I-Codes Adoption Toolkit soon and BIA will share once available.