News from HQ
IREM Conducts Second Congressional Briefing
On July 24, IREM conducted its second Congressional Briefing in Washington, D.C. The Congressional Briefing was designed to create an additional opportunity to directly carry our issues and concerns to the people writing and voting on the legislation that affects the real estate management industry.
The briefing was a great success as 2019 Legislative and Public Policy Committee Chair, Amy Hedgecock, CPM®; Vice-Chair, Debbie Prejeant, CPM and IREM Federal Housing Advisory Board member, Michael Simmons, CPM provided presentations on the National Flood Insurance Program, assistance animals, and affordable housing to over 75 Congressional staffers.
View event photos
Aug. 5 – Sept. 6: Federal Legislators Back in Their Districts for August Recess
While federal legislators are back home during the August recess, IREM members should take the opportunity to schedule meetings with representatives to discuss issues important to our industry. Protecting the real estate management industry requires work year-round.
Learn more about how to schedule and prepare for a meeting and the issues to discuss by going to IREM’s In-District Meetings initiative.
Face-to-face meeting with elected representatives, or a key member of their staff, is the best way to teach them about your concerns and, ideally, influence their decisions.
IREM on Watch for Legislative Action
Globe St. recently conducted an interview with Chip Watts, CPM®, IREM secretary/treasurer, and Ted Thurn, IREM director, government affairs, to discuss three critical areas we are monitoring for membership. Issues addressed included service and emotional support animals, marijuana legislation and the ongoing battle for long-term flood insurance reauthorization and reform. Full Article
IREM Member Spotlight
Adam Skolnik, CPM, ARM: Fair housing law won’t be fair to rental property owners
The Maryland Multi-Housing Association applauds the Anne Arundel County Council for introducing CB 55-19 to establish Anne Arundel’s first Fair Housing law. As an association of rental housing providers, MMHA has hosted over 1,900 people for fair housing trainings in the past decade.
While we are pleased that a fair housing bill will finally pass in the county, we must share our disappointment in the conversation surrounding one aspect of this bill: source of income. Full Article
Affordable Housing
President Creates Housing Affordability Council
Utah REALTORS® Think Ahead to Prevent Affordable Housing Shortage
National News
Hurricane Harvey Did A Number On Houston. Property Owners Advise You Get Flood Insurance, Take Steps to Prepare
Commercial & Residential – Flood Insurance
U.S. Supreme Court Makes Big Property Rights Decision
Commercial & Residential – Property Rights, Eminent Domain
FASB Lease Accounting Standard Changes
Commercial – Lease Accounting Standards
How Minneapolis Freed Itself from the Stranglehold of Single-Family Homes
Residential – Zoning, Affordable Housing
Fourth Circuit Says Inability to Get Information from Website, Without More, Is Not Enough To Establish Standing to Sue
Commercial – ADA Website Accessibility
The Government Affairs Digest is distributed monthly to the IREM Executive Committee, Regional Vice Presidents, Chapter Presidents and Chapter Legislative Chairs, Legislative and Public Policy Committee, and the Federal Housing Advisory Board. Other IREM members who would like to receive the newsletter may opt-in at any time.
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