Small Business Health Plans

• NAR was instrumental in the drafting of S. 1955, the Senate small business health plan (SBHP) bill and efforts to bring the bill to the Senate floor for consideration in May 2006.
• S. 1955 is the first small business health plan bill ever to be debated by the Senate.

Banks in Real Estate

• NAR blocks, for the 6th consecutive year, Banks from entering real estate brokerage by successfully lobbying Congress to delay implementation of Federal Reserve-Treasury Department.
• For the second consecutive year the Senate Appropriations Committee has reported out a permanent fix as part of its Transportation-Treasury-HUD appropriations bill.

National Flood Insurance Program

• NAR successfully lobbied Congress for increase, from $1.5 billion to $20 billion, in the borrowing authority of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to enable FEMA to pay existing claims
• NAR also successfully lobbied Congress for fiscal year 2007 funding:
• $198 million for FEMA’s map modernization program
• $50 million for the repetitive loss pilot program
• $31 million for the flood mitigation assistance program
• $100 million for the pre-disaster mitigation program.
• NAR continues to work closely with FEMA to assure the accuracy and usability of any new maps.

Tax Policy

• NAR lead the fight in opposition to tax commission recommendation to replace the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction with limited tax credits
• NAR continues to press for renewal and extension of the 15-year cost recovery period for leasehold improvements.
• FHA Reforms
• NAR suggested FHA modernization legislation passed by House H.R.5121, Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2006, would
• Raise FHA loan limits
• Eliminate restrictive down payment requirements
• Provide risk based mortgage insurance premium flexibility
• Offered optional extended 40 year term FHA loans

Private Property Rights

• NAR successfully lobbied for passage of The Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006, H.R.4772 sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH).
• H.R. 4772 ensures due process for property owners when their rights have been violated and their property has been taken. The bill applies only to claims filed in federal court by property owners seeking relief from violations of federal statutory and Constitutional law.

Natural Disaster Policy

• NAR is taking a leading role in Washington, DC on the natural disaster policy to position the issue for legislative action in 2007.
• Educating Congress on the importance affordable disaster insurance, especially in disaster-prone areas, for home and business owners.
• NAR hosted a natural disaster policy symposium focused on identifying federal policy solutions
• NAR partnered with the Department of Homeland Security to promote September 2006 as “National Preparedness Month”
• NAR is reaching out to industry groups and stakeholders to form a coalition to promote and advance legislation when the new 110th Congress convenes next year.  
  

Latest News
Your RPAC contributions critical in 2006 election year

With the Legislative Session now over the focus for many political office holders and candidates turn to the 2006 elections in November. NVBR, along with the Vermont Association of REALTORS® (VAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), has a long tradition of supporting and contributing to pro-real estate candidates for elected office.

In 2000, the NVBR Board of Directors approved the establishment of a local Board of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (BORPAC). Since that time NVBR has expanded its commitment to legislative involvement at the local level. The Association shares a local lobbyist with the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern Vermont (HBRANV), monitoring and testifying on important issues in our region.

Contributing to the BORPAC is easy. You may go to www.realtor.org and make an on-line contribution. Thirty percent of your contribution will go to the national RPAC and 70 percent will return to Vermont where percentages will be allocated to the VERPAC and the NVBR BORPAC.

It is critical that we make our voices heard to the Legislature in this election year. The best way to get heard is during a campaign. The more we have to participate, the more responsive candidates will be. Having a BORPAC at the local level means everyone wins – NVBR, VAR and NAR – and especially the members.

For more information, contact Kathleen Sweeten at NVBR.