On Thursday, Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, held a hearing on Member proposals related to certain tax provisions that either expired in 2011 or will expire in 2012. These temporary tax breaks are often referred to as “extenders” because Congress regularly renews them for one or two years at a time.

Specifically, manufacturers who build ENERGY STAR homes were eligible to receive a $1,000 tax credit while modular home builders were eligible to receive a $2,000 tax credit by exceeding the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by 50 percent. The “tax extenders” package has an impact on a wide range of activities that help spur economic growth, job creation, and job retention. Despite bicameral, bipartisan support for these provisions, Congress has yet to extend the tax credits due to the growing deficit.

Although the tax programs can be extended retroactively and have been in past years, supporters say the uncertainty surrounding that practice discourages businesses from making business decisions about long-term investments. The Congressional hearing has laid the groundwork for a tax bill to emerge from the Ways and Means Committee. For this reason, it is imperative we keep the pressure on House leaders and the Ways and Means Committee to report on a tax bill to extend the ENERGY STAR tax credit beyond 2011.

MHI is urging members to submit a letter of support to extend the ENERGY STAR Tax Credit for Manufactured and Modular homes to the Ways and Means Committee at waysandmeans.house.gov by the close of business on Thursday, May 10, 2012. Click here to view the issue paper.

Special thanks to Mr. Tim Williams, Executive Vice President, Ohio MHA for his outstanding advocacy efforts on behalf of the manufactured housing industry.

According to an April 2012 posting on the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) page of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website, HUD has made one new appointment and reappointed the five members whose terms would have expired in December 2012.

Three individuals from MHI member companies will serve another term to include: Bill Stamer, Champion Homes; Michael Wade, Southern Energy Homes; and Theresa Defosses, Manufactured Housing Association of Maine’s certified representative to MHI. A new member filling the “user” category, is Jim Demitrus, a manufactured homeowner from Ohio. Frank Walter, former MHI staff member, will serve another term representing the “General Interest” category. Other consensus committee members representing industry are as follows: Jeff Legault, P.E., Skyline Corp.; Leo Poggione, Craftsman Homes; David Tompos, NTA; Manuel Santana, P.E., Cavco Industries; and Greg Scott, ScotBilt Homes, Inc.

The MHCC, tentatively slated to meet in early summer, will continue its work to provide recommendations to HUD for revisions to the Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards, Procedural and Enforcement regulations, and the minimum installation standards.

On April 27th, as part of the requirement outlined under section 1027 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a request for comments to be used in a study the Bureau is compiling analyzing the use of pre-dispute arbitration agreements. The study is expected to form the basis of the Bureau’s decision in exercising its authority to impose conditions or limitations on the use of mandatory pre-dispute arbitration agreements. According to the CFPB Director Richard Cordray, “we want to learn how arbitration clauses affect consumers, and how effective arbitration is in resolving consumers’ issues. This inquiry will help the bureau assess whether rules are needed protect consumers.” In 2011, legislation was introduced in the House (HR 1873) and Senate (S 987) that would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in consumer, employment and civil rights disputes. To view the request for comments, click here.

A report from CoreLogic indicates that over the coming years growth in the single-family rental market (1-to-4 unit homes) will likely exceed that in the multi-family market (5-or-more units). Using Census data, the report indicates there are roughly 20.7 million rentals in 1-to-4 unit homes compared to about 17.1 million rentals in buildings with 5-or-more units. There are also about 1.87 million households in manufactured homes, RVs, boats or vans. To view the report or for more information, click here.