Housing Legislation Signed into Law:
President Bush signed H.R. 3221 into law establishing loan limits for the GSEs and FHA, as well as a $7,500 home ownership tax credit. The legislation also includes broad GSE Reform, FHA Reform and development of a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and creates a new FHA program to help homeowners at risk for foreclosure. For more detailed information, please visit the
www.delawarerealtor.com Legislative Section and click on
New from NAR.
SB191 Signing Ceremony:
DAR President Don Ash participated in the signing ceremony with Governor Minner for SB 191, legislation which ensures that homeowners cannot be denied a homeowner's insurance policy for filing a claim or asking questions about their policy coverage. President Ash thanked the Governor for signing the bill, the legislation's lead sponsors, Senator Sokola and Representative Longhurst for their hard work and Commissioner Denn for his dedication and commitment to this issue over the past several years. Homeowners can now have the peace of mind that their insurance rates will not go up or policy terminated simply for inquiring about their coverage and that their policy will not be canceled solely on the basis of claims against the policy. Visit the
Newsroom at
www.delawarerealtor.com for photos from the signing.
Reassessment:
In the closing days of the 144th General Assembly House Joint Resolution 22 passed both bodies. The resolution directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Education and the Controller General to develop recommendations for the statewide uniform reassessment of real property for the purpose of ad valorem taxation by county governments and school districts in such a way to have no financial impact on the state's general fund. President Ash sent a letter to the Governor and members of the Administration involved offering DAR's assistance in the effort.
Eminent Domain:
Eminent Domain continues to be a topic in the news and among interested parties across the state. We anticipate the issue moving quickly in the next session and will meet with the City of Wilmington and members of the General Assembly to discuss the benefits of DAR's legislation, which would allow eminent domain for redevelopment purposes, but only as a tool of last resort after a substantive procedural process is met and for truly just compensation.
Gubernatorial Debate:
DAR has been in touch with the gubernatorial candidates about participation in a debate at
DAR's Annual Convention on October 3rd at Dover Downs.
State Resource Areas:
Representative Carey and Secretary Hughes have asked DAR to participate in a meeting of stakeholders to discuss implementation of the Delaware Land Protection Act. Andrew Staton, a REALTOR
® from Sussex County was appointed by President Ash to represent the association on the work group. The first meeting was held yesterday with a historical review of Natural and State Resource Areas. The Committee will meet again in September and look at the criteria for a State Resource Area, what are the protective components once designated and the process. For more information, please contact Charlotte Herbert at
charlotte@delawarerealtor.com or by phone at 734-4444.
Condo Bill:
The Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, legislation passed by both bodies on the last day of session, still has not been forwarded to the Governor for signature. The legislation has some technical flaws, does not contain an effective date and would be fully retroactive. If the Governor signs the legislation, DAR anticipates legislation to address these issues. The bill is 38 pages and is currently being reviewed by counsel.
Pollution Control Strategy:
The regulations can be released at any time; however, there has been no movement from DNREC since the General Assembly passed resolutions asking for further review.
Livable Delaware Advisory Council:
The Governor's Advisory Council on Planning Coordination will meet on Thursday, August 14th to consider the Sussex County Comprehensive Plan update and make a recommendation to Governor Minner on whether or not to certify the plan update. The meeting will take place at 2:30 p.m. in Room 112 of the Tatnall Building across from Legislative Hall on William Penn Street in Dover.
Public Policy Subcommittees:
DAR's newly formed subcommittees on Housing, Land Use and Tax and Benefits held their first meeting. The Committees have broken into work groups to look at legislation, policy statements and proactive initiatives to prepare the association for the new Administration and the 145th General Assembly.
Sign Up Now for the Broker Involvement Program:
The National Association of REALTORS
® wants brokers-in-charge to bring strong leadership and their voice to Congress' decision-making. NAR has discovered that when brokers alert their agents to key issues, agents listen and respond. That's why NAR created the
Broker Involvement Program. By urging your people to respond to NAR's Calls for Action, we can shine a very bright light in Congress on important real estate issues. To sign up,
click here for NAR's application.
