agencies are required to review rules that
have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities within
10 years of publication of the final rule.
EPA had initially planned for only a 60-
day public comment period, but under
the direction of NAHB, a coalition of trade
associations was formed and helped
extend that time frame. The coalition co-
ordinated a Small Business Administration
Roundtable on Aug. 24 that brought EPA
staff together with stakeholders from
across the industry who voiced their ques-
tions and concerns regarding the review.
EPA expects to complete its review and
issue a report by early to mid-2017.
NAHB endorses candidates
for Congress
For the first time in its 74-year history, the
National Association of Home Builders
(NAHB) is officially endorsing candidates
for the U.S. House and Senate in the up-
coming Nov. 8 elections.
"As housing goes, so goes the econ-
omy," says NAHB Chairman Ed Brady,
a home builder and developer from
Bloomington, Ill. "This election could
determine if the housing and econom-
ic recovery stays on track or veers off
course. The incumbents and candidates
from both political parties that NAHB will
be endorsing have all exhibited a commit-
ment to advance policies that will pro-
mote homeownership and rental housing
opportunities for all Americans."
When the 115th Congress convenes in
Washington D.C., early next year, there will
be plenty of unfinished housing business
awaiting lawmakers. NAHB believes that
Congress must focus on:
• Reforming and streamlining the regula-
tory process.
• Ensuring that any tax reform efforts
protect vital housing tax incentives that
are needed to keep housing and the
economy moving forward.
• Easing tight credit conditions for
home buyers.
• Enacting comprehensive housing
finance reform.
NAHB does not endorse candidates
for president.
Houzz survey:
Homeowners embrace
smart technology when
renovating homes
Renovating homeowners are integrating
"smart" features into their homes, accord-
ing to the 2016 U.S. Houzz Smart Home
Trends Survey, conducted in collaboration
with CEDIA. The survey of nearly 1,000
homeowners in the midst of planning or
who have recently completed a home
renovation project found that nearly half
of renovating homeowners are incorpo-
rating "smart" technology: systems or
devices that can be monitored or con-
trolled via smartphone, tablet or computer
(45 percent). In fact, renovated homes
are more than twice as likely to include a
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