On 3/8/21, Byron Miller, SRA testified for the Senate version of bill HF737/SF785. The bill passed Commerce and is now on the Senate floor. Mr. Miller testified the morning of 3/9/21 on the amended bill (HF737 amended to HF1768), and it passed. Both versions of the bill are on the floor of their respective chambers.
The Senate version must be reconciled to the House version, which should be simple since both bills (SF737 & SF1768) have cleared commerce and the finance committee. They will then be voted on. Barring any major hurdle, the bills will be voted on and sent to the governor for his signature in a couple of weeks.
That’s five bills to become law in the past six years for North Star AI! This is a testament to all of GRC’s hard work on behalf of our members.
Please note that the amendment of HF1768 will allow sponsors to be mentioned and have their logos on our education materials, which is beneficial to the Chapter as well. We will also be able to offer classroom courses for CE for six months.
Call to Action: ASC North Dakota Waiver Comments
The Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) is requesting comments regarding the temporary waiver request for the State of North Dakota. Public comments are requested and due by July 1, 2019.
The Notice can be viewed at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/05/30/2019-11282/appraisal-subcommittee-notice-of-received-request-for-a-temporary-waiver. Comments can be submitted and viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/ by searching for Docket Number AS19-04.
Please go on to the site and provide any relevant comments or feedback relating to residential, commercial, or agricultural appraisals. Specifically, the ASC is interested in hearing about:
- Whether there is a scarcity of certified or licensed appraisers available to perform 1-4 unit, Ag, or commercial appraisals for Federally Related Transactions or FRTs.
- Whether there are significant delays in turn times in ND for 1-4 unit, Ag, or commercial appraisals for FRTs.
- Factors leading to turn time delays for 1-4 unit, Ag, or commercial appraisals for FRTs.
- Scope, terms, duration, conditions, dollar limits on 1-4 unit, Ag, or commercial appraisals if a waiver is granted.
Please provide supporting evidence for each point addressed.
Keep in mind, what’s of most value is any data or personal stories that would illustrate the state of the appraisal market in ND.
Remember, every comment counts.
Please get involved and help AI fight on your behalf.
Thank you,
Byron Miller, SRA, AI-RRS, RAA, MSSE
North Star Chapter Government Relations Committee Chair
Minnesota Special Session Spells Legislative Success for the North Star Chapter
- Alignment with the latest AQB licensing requirements
- Making it easier for out-of-state appraisers to obtain temporary licenses
- Codify the payment of the appraisal advisory board as well as the two-year allocation of $10,000 for the per diem and mileage of board members for their service
Each of these items positively impacts the appraisal profession in the State of Minnesota. This achievement marks the fourth time in as many years that we have introduced legislation which has subsequently become law.
Acknowledgements:
First, we would like to thank Christy Mackaman, MAI, AI-GRS, and Brett Hall, MAI, SRA, for all their hard work this legislative season – without them, we could not have accomplished this great task!
Next, we also want to acknowledge GRC members Joe Ibach, MAI, and Ray Vandeveer, SRA, for their contributions to our legislative efforts.
Additionally, we would like to expand a special thank you to our GRC team in Washington: Scott DiBiasio, Bill Garber, and Brian Rodgers for their help with drafting this important legislation.
And finally, thank you to all North Star Chapter members who helped pass this important legislation, by participating in Capitol Hill Day, contacting your legislators, and donating to our fundraising campaign.
Thank you,
Byron Miller, SRA, AI-RRS, RAA, MSSE
North Star Chapter Government Relations Chair
Call to Action: Contact Your Legislators to Help Pass Important Appraisal Legislation
The Government Relations Committee is at it again! We have introduced important legislation that positively impacts the appraisal profession in the State of Minnesota and we need your help.
This legislation will make much needed revisions to Statute 82B, the laws that govern appraisal practice in Minnesota, which have not been updated since the 1990s.
Please contact your state legislators and ask them to support H.F. 2133 and S.F. 2068. Click here for a summary you can use when discussing this important legislation with your legislators. You may also feel free to email it to them.
Find your legislators using the following link: https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/.
Please take a few minutes to help get this important legislation passed.
Thank you,
Byron Miller, SRA, AI-RRS, RAA, MSSE
North Star Chapter Government Relations Chair
Give $100 – Get $100: Support the AI North Star Chapter’s Government Relations Committee
North Star Chapter Appraisers,
Your Government Relations Committee (GRC) is working hard on your behalf. Over the past three years, we have passed three appraisal-related bills into law with the help of our state legislators. Here’s a list of our accomplishments:
2018 – Created the Appraisers Advisory Board to advise and provide best practices regarding real estate appraisers licensing, public disciplinary matter, continuing education, and industry-related trends.
2017 – One & done fingerprinting/background checks, instead of every renewal cycle. Limited appraiser liability from an unlimited time-period to six years from date of appraisal. Added a step into Dept. of Commerce (DOC) process to help appraisers get insurance and on fee panels.
2016 – No violation, no charge! Excludes DOC from charging appraisers for investigations when the conclusion is no violation has been committed. Cleaned up AMC language preventing appraisers from being classified as an AMC. Charged DOC with authority to go after AMCs not paying customary and reasonable fees.
As you can see, our grass-roots efforts have accomplished a lot, with very little. But now we need your help!
The North Star Chapter GRC has established a presence at the State Capitol, but we need to keep standing out amongst the big buck PACs (Political Action Committees) to be effective. Therefore, we are asking North Star Chapter members to contribute $50 per individual or $100 per couple to a state legislator who has supported appraiser legislation in the past and potentially the FUTURE – Give $100. Here’s the great part, the State of Minnesota will refund your political contribution of $50 per individual or $100 per couple – Get back $50 or $100.
Your GRC members will be at the November 28th North Star Chapter meeting to help facilitate your contribution. Please bring your checkbook and support your chapter! If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Byron Miller, [email protected] or 612-822-5985, or Christy Mackaman, [email protected] or 952-895-1205.
Sincerely,
Byron Miller
Chair, Government Relations Committee
North Star Chapter of the Appraisal Institute
Legislative Update – October 1, 2018
Joe Ibach, MAI, recently was in Washington, D.C. to attend the AARO Conference. While there, he met with staff from Senators’ Rounds (SD) and Hoeven & Heitkamp (ND). Topics of discussion included:
- H.R. 6347 & 6348…two house bills that propose to increase the real estate thresholds for major SBA loans. Not good for the appraisal professional. Will be urging Senators to oppose.
- Update Senators’ staff about the ND appraiser waiver.
- Update status of Practical Application of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA)…need to keep pressure on AQB to move forward ASAP!
URGENT: North Dakota Appraisal Waiver Request
North Star Chapter Appraisers,
The North Star Chapter Membership needs to be aware of an effort being led by Governor Doug Burgum on behalf of the State of North Dakota, the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions, and the North Dakota Bankers Association, for a temporary waiver to be enacted in North Dakota. The Appraisal Institute is actively pursuing efforts to refute this request and also provide additional context as to why it isn’t needed.
To bring members up to speed, the proposal effectively bypasses the requirement for appraisals in North Dakota that are below $1M for business/farm and $500k for residential, citing unreasonable delays, excessive costs and a scarcity in rural locations as a justification for this. The request was issued August 1st, 2018. Just days ago, on August 13th, a letter from the Appraisal Institute was issued to the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) urging strong opposition.
As many have observed, our profession is under attack with these unfolding events. We are obviously concerned with possible distortion of facts or misinformation being disseminated to the ASC. Furthermore, the temporary waiver request does NOT adhere to ASC requirements and publishes personally identifiable information (i.e. names, email addresses, turnaround times, etc.), which is privileged and confidential information.
Finally, North Star Membership should be aware the Appraisal Sub Committee is scheduled to meet on this topic August 29, 2018. All members with feedback, information, or evidence to refute the claims published in the August 1st proposal are strongly encouraged to contact the following individuals:
-
Bill Garber, Appraisal Institute Director of Government and External Relations
(202) 298-5593
[email protected] -
John Russell, Senior Director of Government Relations, American Society of Appraisers
(703) 733-2103
[email protected]
Temporary Waiver Request, 12 CFR Part 1102, Subpart A
The North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions (“NDDFI”) and the North Dakota Bankers Association (“NDBA”) request the Appraisal Subcommittee (“ASC”) to exercise its discretionary authority to initiate a temporary waiver proceeding for a determination under subsection 1102.2(a) of Subpart A to 12 CFR Part 1102, Appraiser Regulation, of scarcity of licensed or certified appraisers leading to significant delays in obtaining appraisals in federally related transaction throughout the state of North Dakota. Specifically, Applicants request waiver of requirements for federally related real estate mortgage loan transactions for which a bank or credit union is the mortgagee and for which the principal balance, secured by real estate within North Dakota, does not exceed $1 million for a business or farm loan or $500,000 for a residential real estate transaction.
Sincerely,
Justin Reed, MAI
President
Appraisal Institute-North Star Chapter
GRC Update: Real Estate Appraiser Advisory Board
On May 20, 2018, Governor Dayton signed into law SF 2991/HF2829, which establishes the Real Estate Appraiser Advisory Board (REAAB). This seven-person board appointed by the Department of Commerce (DOC) commissioner will advise and provide best practices regarding real estate appraisers’ licensing, public disciplinary matters, continuing education, and industry-related trends. The first meeting is to be held in November 2018.
The North Star Chapter’s Government Relations Committee (GRC) is diligently working for you, the appraiser, to improve oversight of appraisers’ education, licensing, and external influences, and by further maintaining the public trust regarding the real estate appraisal industry. We have successfully passed state legislation the last three years that has helped all Minnesota appraisers. To continue the efforts of your Chapter’s GRC at the legislature, we need your support. Please contact, GRC Chair Byron Miller, SRA, AI-RRS, at [email protected] for more information.
Government Relations Committee members include: Byron Miller, SRA, AI-RRS. RAA, MSSE (Chair); Brett Hall MAI, SRA; Ray Vandeveer, SRA; Christine Mackaman, MAI; and Joe Ibach, MAI (North Dakota).
