BIG MONEY, BIG FIRMS WEIGH IN AGAINST FLEXIBLE CODE CYCLE

The Senate Regulatory Reform Committee held its first hearing on House Bill 4561 this past Thursday, April 26^th and the hearing room was packed with opponents of the measure who continued to engage in a campaign of misinformation designed to undermine the sound public policy approach offered by the bill.

Company after company, many with financial incentives to oppose the bill, stepped to the microphone to predict the collapse of Michigan’s economy and a reduction in public safety in Michigan if the director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affair was given the authority to update the codes either every three or every six years as appropriate.

As was the case in the House, where HB 4561 passed on a bipartisan vote of 68 to 39, committee members were treated to half-truths and misrepresentations by opponents of the bill including that passage of the measure would: 1.) only allow the codes to be updated every six years, 2.) raise insurance rates, 3.) require the state to give back federal weatherization funds, 4.) stop technology firms from locating in Michigan and make those who are currently here move out and, 5.) hurt the electric car industry.

The largest fog of propaganda was generated over the claim, despite specific language in the bill to the contrary, that going to a flexible code cycle would mean many of the products manufactured or sold wouldn’t be available in Michigan. None of those who made this claim explained how these products are available for use in the 35 other states that have flexible code cycles some of which are still using codes from the 1990s.

After being challenged by the MAHB, opponents of the bill have at least ceased to falsely claim General Motors is opposing HB 4561 but are still falsely claiming the Associated Builders and Contractors/Michigan have switched from their position of support in the House to one of opposition.

Anyone doubting how much money is being spent to prevent HB 4561 reaching the Governor’s desk should visit the opponent’s new website www.betterbuildingsmi.com where supporters of HB 4561 were characterized as follows “Who wants weaker building codes? Quite frankly, the handful of builders who like to cut corners, don’t want to keep up to date with the best possible safety and construction practices, and choose to sell a product that may save a dollar today – but cost hundreds more down the road.”

The following companies are listed on the above website as opposing HB 4561: Dow Chemical, BASF, CertainTeed, Guardian Industries, Huntsman International, Bayer Corporation, Cooper Bussman, Schneider Electric, Dow Corning, Eaton, Arvorn Inc. (Grand Rapids) Atlas Roofing Corp. (Byron Center), Detroit Spray Foam (Sterling Heights), Foam Rite (Almont), Gypsum Supply Company (Byron Center) Harbor Foam (Grandville), and North American Processing (Lapeer). Because this list earlier listed GM as opposing the bill and still lists ABC/Michigan as opposing the bill, members of the MAHB are encouraged to call these companies to verify their opposition to HB 4561.

Each builder needs to exercise their own judgment when selecting products from a vendor.