The HBA’s legislative priority – prohibiting local governments from mandating residential fire sprinklers and extending the consumer option until December 31, 2019 – rests in Governor Nixon’s hands. That prohibition, passed originally in 2009, was set to expire at the end of 2011. Senate bill 108, which extends to the statute, was passed by the General Assembly last week and the Governor now has 15 days from the time he receives legislation to act on it.
Our HBA leadership has mailed several hard copy letters to the Governor regarding this but you can also email his office ASAP in support of SB 108, please click on the following link: http://governor.mo.gov/contact/ to submit an email. Emailing is an easy process that should only take a few minutes. Here are some important points regarding the bill:
- Government should not take away consumer choice by mandating these systems in new homes. Senate bill 108 preserves this consumer choice until December 31, 2019.
- The home builders have worked with several industries and stakeholders, including the Missouri Fire Service Alliance, to reach a compromise: Instead of requiring all new homes to have fire sprinklers installed, we believe that consumers should be able to decide what they have in their own home.
- Builders must continue to provide new home purchasers the option of installing a residential fire sprinkler system so buyers can make an educated choice.
- The housing industry – including all trades relating to residential construction – continues to face unprecedented hardship. With so many financial and economic obstacles in today’s market, consumers should not be forced to pay anywhere between $7,000 to $25,000 for residential fire sprinklers. These systems should be optional.