Legislation has been introduced in both the Iowa House and Senate 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.
 
The Issue:  Iowa SF 2154 (formerly SF 174)  a design standards preemption bill introduced by Senator Scott Webster (R-Bettendorf) has been carried over and reintroduced.  In addition, there is a House version HF 490 introduced by Representative Phil Thompson of this bill that has been carried over.

In addition SSB 3040, a materials preemption bill has been put forward by Senator Jesse Green (R-Boone) and a House version, HSB 619 by Representative Shannon Latham. 

These bills would eliminate cities and counties' abilities to do masonry ordinances for single family and multi-family residential. These bills would be detrimental to our industry and its many allies. This unfortunate 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 2154 (formerly SF 174) has passed the Senate Local Government Committee and been placed on the Senate calendar.  The House version HF 490, has not received a new Subcommittee. SSB 3040 and HSB 619 have been voted out of their respective Local Government Committee’s Subcommittees and have been referred to their respective full Local Government Committees for consideration. 
 
What You Are Being Asked to Do:  The Iowa Legislature is currently in Session. SF 2154 (SF 174) is on the Senate calendar and being considered by Senate leadership for a possible floor vote.  

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:

Hello, I am a constituent of (insert legislator’s name) and would like to ask the Representative or Senator to Vote No on SF 2154, introduced by Senator Scott Webster, and to Vote No on SSB 3040, introduced by Senator Jesse Green. Please also vote no on the House versions of these bills, HF 490 by Representative Phil Thompson and HSB 619 by Representative Shannon Latham.

These bills would take away from cities and counties local control to regulate design standards for homes and apartments. These bills would result in homes being built at the bare minimum state standards and 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 from fires and natural disasters.

SF 2154 and SSB 3040 and their House versions, HF 490 and HSB 619 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. 

Vote for local control.  Vote No on SF 2154 and SSB 3040 and their House versions HF 490 and HSB 619.