FRSA Legislative Update on Essential Consideration for Roofing and Construction

Editor's Note: This is a notification from FRSA

Legislative Update on Essential Consideration for Roofing and Construction
FRSA's Legislative Counsel, Chris Dawson, has been working diligently on several issues since business shut downs began last week. In coordination with our construction coalition partners (ABC, Home Builders, etc.) we have been working to ensure that construction is considered an “essential” service in any local emergency order issued by a local government restricting business operations. Currently, there are three such orders in effect (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties) and we were successful in having construction included as an “essential” service in all three. We continue to work with other local governments as they contemplate similar measures. (Next likely targets are Hillsborough/City of Tampa, Orange/Osceola/City of Orlando, and Duval.)
 
Thus far, Governor DeSantis has resisted the move to a statewide stay at home order. He doubled down on this position over the weekend, though the severity of the outbreak may force him to change his position at some point. Political pressure is growing. To that end, FRSA and other industry groups have been in constant communication with the Governor’s Office, the Division of Emergency Management and DBPR on the necessity of classifying construction as an essential service when/if a statewide order is issued. As mentioned in Friday's Roof Flash, FRSA sent letters to all three offices requesting that roofing be considered essential. 
 
On permits/inspections, the decisions on continuation are largely local, but we have been applying pressure on the Governor to issue some statewide guidance to signal to local areas a desire/intent for those services to continue with minimal interruption. DBPR did finally issue that statewide guidance last week and local governments have been following it so far. Contractors should share this guidance with their local building departments and work with them to keep the permitting/inspection processes moving in conjunction with the most current state rules, CDC guidance, etc. 

NRCA has provided the following breakdown of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act - please click here. 

NRCA is also seeking social media support for the CARESAct with a grassroots campaign. We need to make sure lawmakers in Congress don’t lose sight of the importance of sustaining roofing industry employers and their employees. Join us in a social media campaign as the roofing industry comes together with one voice! Click here for more info and to participate in keeping roofing essential. 

To learn  more about FRSA, visit their RCS Directory