Dear MII Member,

PLEASE SEE THE EMAIL BELOW FROM THE LOBBYISTS OF THE BRICK INDUSTRY OF AMERICA (BIA) REGARDING LEGISLATION HAPPENING NOW IN IOWA. MII ASKS THAT YOU PASS THIS ALONG TO YOUR EMPLOYEES AND COLLEAGUES TO HELP US FIGHT SF 174 AND SBB 3040.

Legislation has been proposed that could have very damaging effects on the brick industry.  Because of this effort’s rapid speed, we are asking every Iowa resident affiliated with our industry to actively voice their opinion and oppose this legislation via both phone calls and email.  We hope every recipient of this message will commit to this. It is critical for our industry. 
 
The Issue:  Iowa SF 174 a design standards preemption bill introduced by Senator Scott Webster (R-Bettendorf) has been carried over and reintroduced. In addition SSB 3040, a materials preemption bill has been put forward by Senator Jesse Green (R-Boone). These bills would eliminate cities and counties' abilities to do masonry ordinances for single family and multi-family residential in the state. These bills would be detrimental to our industry and its allies. This effort is backed by the Iowa Association of Homebuilders, the Vinyl Siding Institute, The Iowa Association of Realtors, and Iowa Business and Industry Association and many other groups. 
 
What Has Been Done to Date:  SF 174 and SSB 3040 have been voted out of the Senate Local Government Committee’s Subcommittees and have been referred to the full Senate Local Government Committee for consideration. 
 
What You Are Being Asked to Do:   The Iowa Legislature is currently in Session. Both SF 174 and SSB 3040 may be heard before the Senate Local Government Committee next week when the Committee meets on Tuesday, January 30th at 10 am. 

First, we ask all Iowa residents affiliated with brick to call their local reps (you can find your local legislator here) and say the following:

1)  Hello, I am a constituent of (insert legislator’s name) and would like to ask the Representative or Senator to Vote No on SF 174, introduced by Senator Scott Webster, and to Vote No on SSB 3040, introduced by Senator Jesse Green

2) These bills would take away local control from cities and counties to regulate design standards for homes and apartments in Iowa. This bill would result in homes being built at the bare minimum state standards and would result in a loss of property values, decreased public safety, and a lower quality of life for members of our community. This could lead to a reduction in public safety in our community from fires and natural disasters. 
 

3) SF 174 and SSB 3040 would take away the rights of our cities and counties across Iowa to handle community issues on the local level. We deserve a say in the communities we are building for our children and grandchildren. 

4) Vote for local control.  Vote No on SF 174 and SSB 3040.

 
Second, we also ask that you send an email (pre-drafted) to your legislators via the BIA Action portal: https://gobrick.salsalabs.org/votenoonsf174andssb3040