Last month was the 48th year for the Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show. I have been participating in the Home & Garden Show for over 30 years, and each year I am amazed at the growth that has occurred. The success of this year’s show could not have been achieved without the dedicated work of Michaela, Jennie, Laure, Andrea and Meri. I would like to thank them for all their hard work. Their efforts paid off as the attendance numbers were up this year and the feedback from the vendors was positive. The Home & Garden Show is one of my favorite events of the year. I enjoy interacting with the other vendors as well as the clientele who pass through during the weekend. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Home & Garden Show and helped make this year a great success.
Early in February, there was a hearing at the State Capitol regarding LB 743. If passed as proposed, this bill will update the State of Nebraska to the 2020 National Electrical Code. This new code will increase the cost of new construction and remodeling. Thank you to Fred Hoppe for testifying against this bill on behalf of HBAL. Matt Kinning and Erin Magnussen have been working earnestly to amend portions of the 2018 Energy Code from our local building code in Lincoln. In this code there are elements impacting housing affordability. Thank you to Matt Kinning and Erin Magnussen for their work on the Building Code Task Force Committee.
It is crucial for all of us to be involved and knowledgeable about the bills in the legislature affecting the homebuilding industry. We need to all be proactive and speak up when there are problems affecting our business. The Home Builders Association of Lincoln is a great resource for us all and helps us stay up to date on these changes. I am proud to see members of this association stand up for fair regulation changes.