ADVOCACY

The North Idaho Building Contractors Association strengthens the residential construction sector of the economy by advocating for greater housing affordability, flexibility, overall economic development, job creation, and a growing economy. Outcomes of NIBCA advocacy include expanded opportunities for businesses inside and outside the construction industries to succeed. The NIBCA engages in a wide variety of successful advocacy efforts that directly and indirectly benefit businesses in and out of the building industry.

Direct

efforts by NIBCA to help keep housing safe and affordable for as many people as possible. When successful, NIBCA advocacy of this type results in a greater number of potential buyers/customers for new and remodeled homes. Businesses that benefit from this type of advocacy include home builders, remodelers, suppliers, subcontractors, and other businesses that serve these businesses (their accounting firms, banks, real estate brokers, advertising partners, etc.).

Advocacy

that broadly promotes overall economic development, job creation, and prosperity in the region. When successful, NIBCA advocacy of this type creates an environment where businesses throughout the region have the greatest opportunity to succeed. Businesses that benefit from this type of advocacy include the same list described above, along with a wide variety of other businesses that are not directly related to the building industries and trades.

REGULATORY ADVOCACY

includes working with regulatory staff for positive change. Examples of regulatory advocacy include working closely with code officials and inspectors on code interpretation or advocating for builder-friendly regulations within the various local, state, and federal agencies and bureaucracies (Planning & Zoning, Building Regulations & Permitting Departments, etc.).

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY 

includes working with elected officials to change, defeat or adopt laws or ordinances that are more favorable to business generally and to the building industry specifically. It engages people who have been elected to public office and who ultimately cast votes to write or re-write the law. Examples of legislative advocacy include lobbying in the federal or state capitols or with members of city councils or County Commissions to adopt or modify codes, statutes, ordinances, or laws that affect a business’s opportunity to succeed.

POLITICAL ADVOCACY

consists of effectively advocating in the electoral process to help elect similarly-minded officials to public office, via the use of campaign contributions, volunteer efforts, campaign management, etc. Specifically, the association’s non-partisan political advocacy involves working to help elect officials on the municipal, county, state, and federal levels who understand the important role residential construction and remodeling plays in our overall economy and quality of life.

Current Political Liason Report:

March 2023 

Archived Political Liaison Reports: 

February 2023 PDF Link

January 2023 PDF Link

December 2022 PDF Link

November 2022 PDF Link

October 2022 PDF Link

September 2022 PDF Link

LEGAL ADVOCACY

is when an unfavorable or abusive law or enforcement method must be challenged in court via lawsuit. The association’s legal advocacy is the last line of defense for the business community and the home building industry. In rare instances, when all other forms of advocacy fail, laws or regulations that are severely damaging may be adopted or implemented over the objections and the best arguments of the NIBCA. At times, these laws or regulations may be illegal or unconstitutional. Therefore the government body that enacted the illegal or unconstitutional provision is subject to legal challenge. In such cases, the NIBCA may, in concert with one or more of its members, file suit against the offending government body. Legal advocacy is very expensive and highly unpredictable. That is partially why the NIBCA engages so actively in regulatory, legislative and political advocacy. Still, there are times when the only remedy that remains is legal action. In those times, the NIBCA remains the chief advocate for its members and the industry, and a leading advocate for the broader business community.