GADFly Newsletter – March 2024

DATES TO REMEMBER

Mar 18: FPC Meritorius Service Award Applications Due
Mar 27: All GAD Call @ 3 p.m. ET
Apr 24: All GAD Call @ 3 p.m. ET
Apr 30: GAD Vice Chair Statement of Intent Due
May 1: GAD Institute Registration Opens
May 4-9: REALTORS® Legislative Meetings (DC)

A Message from the Chair

Keeping it all together

The first Super Tuesday has come and gone … and here in Texas, it was marred by extremism and low voter turnout (18.2% statewide).

I found myself thinking about the excellent session from More in Common’s Stephen Hawkins at last year’s GAD Institute. Mr. Hawkins discussed disaffected voters, extremism, and the pervasive nature of political tribalism. Consider a GAD’s role in combating that … among your membership, elected officials, other trade groups, and the public. Ask yourself how you, your association, and your membership can have influence.

One of our biggest strengths is bipartisanship. Our issues don’t divide, they bring officials together on common ground and focus on solutions. At the end of the day, we’re about passing policies that build strong communities, protect private property rights, and promote a stable business environment – all to make our members more successful. That underscores the need to speak with one voice, so we can use our strength effectively.

I know during election season; it can be hard to focus on all other parts of the job. Like PAC fundraising, policy formation, council meetings, and community engagement – all while looking around corners for emerging threats from every angle. If you get lost or overwhelmed, ask your boss to help you prioritize. If you need advice, ask your fellow GADs.

I’m getting pumped up to see y’all in DC for the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings!

-b

Brandon Alderete
512.573.3664 (m)
brandon@texasrealtors.com

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

2025 NAR Committee Applications are OPEN!
Calling all GADs! Make sure you complete your committee application by May 15! Click here to view all committees and their responsibilities.

Due Monday! FPC Meritorious Service Award Application
Submit an application by March 18 to nominate one of your FPCs to receive the 2024 FPC Meritorious Service Award!. Two FPCs are awarded the Meritorious Service Award (MSA) during the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in May. Questions? Contact Victoria Givens (202.383.1021).

Mar 27: Monthly All-GAD Call
The next All GAD call will be held on March 27 at 3 p.m. Join members of NAR’s Sustainability Advisory Group to learn about the Inflation Reduction Act’s $9 billion for home efficiency rebate programs and how to work with your state’s Energy Office to help them get the rebates and incentives each state is entitled.

Apr 30: GAD Vice Chair Statement of Interest Due
The GAD Vice-Chair position rotates between state and local GADs; this year state GADs are eligible to run. All submissions must be sent to Jami Sims by April 30, with both your signature and your AE’s. Eligible candidates will be announced at the GAD meeting at RLM. Questions? Contact Jami Sims (202.383.1221).

Save the Date! GAD Institute Registration Opens May 1
Mark your calendars and bookmark realtorparty.realtor/GADInstitute. On Wed., May 1, registration for GAD Institute opens! This year, GADI will be held in Spokane, Washington, July 16-18, 2024. Questions? Contact Jami Sims (202.383.1221).

REALTORS® Legislative Meetings – GAD Meetings
Make sure these meetings and events are on your calendar if you will be in D.C.:

Sunday, May 5
- 1:00-2:00p: GAD Briefing on Federal Issues
Monday, May 6
- 1:30 – 2:30p: GAD Meeting
- 2:30 – 3:30p: Local GAD Breakout
- 2:30 – 3:30p: State GAD Breakout
- 6:30 – 8:30p: GAD Reception (Location TBD)
Tuesday, May 7
- 1 – 5 p: Hill Visits
Wednesday, May 8
- 9:00 – 11:30a: GAD Professional Development Session
  - Questions? Contact Jami Sims (202.383.1221).
- 1:45 – 3:45p: Urban Roundtable’s ‘UrbanPlan’
  - Bring your understanding of the real estate development process to influence community planning to new heights. As part of an assigned team, you will explore how neighborhoods are built and your role in the process through a fictional city case study conducted by experts from the Urban Land Institute. Space is limited due to the highly interactive and team-oriented nature of UrbanPlan. Sign up HERE

Questions? Contact Hugh Morris (202-383-1278).

#ICYMI

RPAC & The Law Webinar Recording Available
Couldn’t attend the webinar, RPAC & The Law? Watch the recording on the realtor party website now. Questions? Contact Darby Thorne (202-383-1026).

NAR’s Recent Meeting with DOL; Final Rules is Effective
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule regarding how workers are classified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) went into effect March 11, 2024. Questions? Contact Nia Duggins.

Congress Partially Funds Government through September
Congress passed a $460 billion spending package to fund several federal agencies through September 30, 2024. Still left for Congress to fund are the remaining agencies. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is still set to expire on March 22, 2024. Questions? Contact Erin Stackley.

FinCEN Issues New Proposed Rule for the Real Estate Sector
The purpose of the proposed rules is to address money laundering, and illicit financial crimes involving real estate.

Shannon McGahn: Advancing Advocacy Video Update

National Flood Insurance Program Lapse Resources

NAR’s FAQ Sheet provides the latest NFIP status update, what a lapse means for closings, and a wide range of options for property owners/buyers to buy or renew flood insurance both before and after March 22. The FAQ also compiles most of the federal agency guidance documents to address even the most technical NFIP lapse questions our members or their clients could have.
NAR’s Flood Insurance Page provides the latest news, advocacy materials (issue summary, letters, etc.), as well as numerous other resources, including NAR’s research on the possible home-sales impact and NFIP’s importance to each state, NAR legal’s guidance, as well as information on how to obtain private market flood insurance.

CELEBRATING GAD ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to Hancen Sale (East Tennessee REALTORS®) on launching the new CE course, “Economics of Housing,” with the first class set for May 1st. Explore further details here.

Congratulations to Lacey Everett (MIBOR) for her successful advocacy at the state legislature, securing the future of Indianapolis’s public transit system. Kudos to the coalition for their decade-long commitment to this cause!

Submit your own victories or share your fellow GADs’ wins with Jami Sims to be included in future editions of the GADFly. Don’t just move onto the next issue ahead; celebrate your wins big and small!

FUNDRAISING INFORMATION

RPAC Major Investor Recognition Deadlines
Make sure you and your members are recognized as RPAC Major Investors by the April, October, and December deadlines! Click here for all dates and important details. These are HARD deadlines to submit RPAC investments to the NAR Finance Office. For questions about RPAC transmittal deadlines, contact Jenn Nguyen (202.383.1268), or Debbie Frey (312.329.8565).

2024 President’s Circle Round 2 Launches
Round 2 of the 2024 President’s Circle Program, consisting of eight REALTOR® Party Champions, has launched. Members may also contribute to the national party congressional and senatorial committees, or NAR Federal Political Coordinators (FPCs) may contribute to their respective member of Congress. Remember: Investments must be made through the President’s Circle site to count toward your 2024 President’s Circle total. Questions? Contact Jenn Nguyen (202.383.1268).

GRANTS AND RESOURCES

Tell Us Your Story
The Consumer Advocacy Outreach Program wants to hear what housing affordability projects you have going on in your community (state and local). Please quickly tell us here, https://bit.ly/CAOPstory2024. Questions? Contact Erin Murphy (emurphy@nar.realtor | 202-383-1079).

REALTOR® Party Conference Grants Available! State and Local REALTOR® associations can apply for a grant to host their own REALTOR® Party Conference to educate members and further the mission of the REALTOR® Party. Associations may qualify to receive funding to aid in hosting an educational or fundraising conference. Questions? Christine Windle (202-383-1135).

Get the Latest on Modern Growth Management Techniques Since 2008, NAR’s Growth Management Fact Book has provided a comprehensive look at a variety of modern growth management techniques, such as urban growth boundaries, housing moratoria, adequate public facilities and cluster zoning, to help REALTOR® Associations stay informed and develop well-reasoned policy positions to advance growth-related issue priorities. Each section covers impact on property values, development costs, amount and patterns of development, housing affordability, incentive-based alternatives and recommended talking points covering pros and cons. Contact: Hugh Morris.

GAD Directory
Don’t forget to update the GAD Directory! This ensures NAR has the latest contact information to share important updates and allows GADs to connect with each other about similar issues they may be facing.

REALTOR® PARTY SUCCESS STORIES

Each month, state and local associations that achieved an advocacy win with the help of a REALTOR® Party grant or resource are highlighted in the REALTOR Party® Success Stories. March success stories include:

UPCOMING NAR EVENTS

Start Planning for 2024 NAR Events
Check out the list of 2024 events here to save the date for upcoming conferences.

REALTORS® Legislative Meetings (RLM) | Washington D.C.
Save the Date: May 4-9, 2024
Click here to register.

GAD Institute (GADI) | Spokane, WA
Save the Date: July 16-18, 2024
Registration Opens May 1 at realtorparty.realtor/GADInstitute.

GADFly Newsletter – March 2024