Next Meeting

	Wednesday, October 11, 2006
	399 Division St., North Tonawanda (between E. Schenck. St. and E. Robinson St.)
	5:30 pm Board of Directors Meeting (Please be prompt) 6:30 pm Cocktails (Cash bar) 7:00 pm Dinner Meeting

Please RSVP to the NCBA office by Friday, October 6th if you wish to attend.

President's Message

Member Participation?

Summertime is the season of the year when our association has many outdoor social events for our members and future members to better
get acquainted with each other and the companies and products/services we represent.

On July 10th we held our annual golf tournament at the Niagara Frontier Country Club in Youngstown. The weather, though questionable, cooperated
with us, and our tournament again was very successful. Our thanks go to co-chairpersons Jim Kuryak, Lisa Norman, and Cathy Strassburg and the many sponsors who supported us and made this day a huge success.

On August 16th we held our annual picnic at the West Canal Park in North Tonawanda. Many thanks go to our chairman Larry Quigliano, assisted by Cathy Strassburg, Lisa Norman and Murdoch Mitchell, and to our committee chairs who were responsible for the games. Again, with the help of our many sponsors, our picnic was an entertaining social event and a huge success.

To conclude the summer, we are going to have our 12th annual Parade of Homes beginning Sept. 16th and concluding Oct. 1st. We are featuring twelve homes at multiple sites in Wheatfield, Lewiston and Lockport. We ask that as many members as possible visit these homes and bring their friends and relatives.

On behalf of the association and all of its members, we hope everyone had an enjoyable summer. I hope to see you at our monthly meetings and at our next social event—our annual Christmas Party.

Executive Officer's Message

When I was President of the New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors, I submitted this article regarding the legislative process in Albany. As you will note, it is a very lengthy process. This is why it is so important that we keep up with all of our issues and meet with our state legislators whenever we can and show them our support. I would appreciate it if our legislators would advise of any changes to the process since September, 1995, when the article was written. Our NCBA office appreciates your help and support.

How a Bill Becomes Law

Bills can create new laws, or repeal or amend already existing ones. The Assembly, Senate, and Governor all play a role in the law-making process. This process, from bill introduction to enactment, is virtually the same in both the State Assembly and Senate.

Ideas for legislation can come from many sources: your legislator may perceive a need, a constituent may generate an idea, a state official may propose a change to an existing law, an organization or interest group may advocate a cause. After deciding to sponsor a bill, the Assembly member or Senator would have legislative bill drafting specialists write it up. (Occasionally, an interest group may have its own attorneys draft a bill, or lawyers in various state agencies and the executive branch may submit their ideas for legislation in bill form.) Ideas must be put into bill form before they can be considered by the Assembly or Senate. Once the bill is drafted, it is then filed and gets an official number. Bills are often co-sponsored by multiple members in the Assembly or multiple Senators in the Senate. A bill must be introduced by a legislator or a standing committee of the Assembly or Senate. The only exception to this is the Executive Budget which is introduced by the Governor. In the Assembly, the Speaker, who is elected by its 150 members, assigns the bill to
the appropriate committee. [A bill that concerns the environment would be assigned to the Environmental Conservation Committee, for example.] The committee members (every Assembly member sits on several committees) study the bill and vote on whether to defeat it, hold it for further study, or send it on to the full Assembly for a vote. A committee agenda is issued each week listing the bills and issues each Assembly committee will handle the following week. Committees
sometimes hold hearings on bills to gather the widest range of opinions. Before going on to the Assembly floor for a vote, most bills are examined by the Ways and Means Committee for fiscal implications (costs).

On the floor of the Assembly, the bill’s sponsor explains it and usually defends it in debate. This is called “third reading,” and can take place three days aft er the bill leaves the committee. A vote on the bill is then taken, and if it passes, it goes to the Senate where it goes through a similar process.
In the Senate, upon introduction a bill goes to the Introduction and Revision office, where it is examined and corrected, given a number, sent to the appropriate standing committee, entered into the Senate computer, and deemed to have had its first and second readings, and is printed.

Members of the standing committee pertinent to the bill, [such as Environmental Conservation
(EnCon) for example,] evaluate the bill and decide whether to “report” it (send it) to the Senate floor for a final decision by the full membership. After full consideration in committee, the committee may report the bill to the full Senate for consideration, it may amend the bill, or it may reject it. A committee agenda is issued each week listing the bills and issues each Senate committee will handle the following week. Committees sometimes hold hearings on bills to gather the widest range of opinions.

The daily Calendar is the agenda for Assembly and Senate sessions and contains those measures
which have come through the committee process. Bills take their place in the order in which they are reported from committee, and at this point are referred to by their Calendar Number.

When a bill is ready for a final vote and if the sponsor realizes his bill may not have enough
support for passage, if there is a call for debate, or it has a defect which requires an amendment,
the legislator may ask that it be laid aside, returned to the committee for further study,
or “starred” (placed in an inactive file). Once starred, it cannot be acted on until one day after
removal of the star. When the bill comes up for consideration again, it is subject to debate,
discussion or explanation.

Once a bill is on the calendar for consideration by the full Assembly or Senate, it can still be amended. Changes can be submitted by the bill sponsor, or any other Assembly member in the Assembly or Senator in the Senate, “on the floor” even if he or she is not one of the bill’s
sponsors. Changes are sent to bill drafting and the bill, in its amended form, retains its original
number along with a letter suffix of A, B, C, etc. which corresponds to the number of times a bill is amended. Since amendments are offered in open session, legislators can ask questions and discuss the merits of the proposed amendments. If the majority of the legislative body from which the amendment was initiated vote to adopt the proposed amendment, it then becomes part of the official version of the bill.

Aft er explanation, discussion or debate, a final vote is taken. If a majority of either house votes to approve a bill, it is sent to the other house for review, discussion and a vote. If the bill is approved without amendment, it goes to the governor. However, if it is changed through amendment in the non-originating house, it is returned to the originating house for concurrence in the amendment.

If both legislative bodies pass a bill, it then goes to the Governor who can either sign the bill into law, or veto it. While the legislature is in session, the Governor has ten days (excluding Sundays) to sign or veto a bill. If the Governor signs the bill, it becomes law. If the Governor disapproves, he may veto a bill within ten days and must return it to the house where it originated with a statement explaining his reason. If the Governor does not sign the bill within ten days, it can still become law. The bill can be put into effect over the Governor’s objection if two-thirds of the members of each house vote to override his veto.

As a citizen and constituent, you can give your legislator ideas for new laws. If you wish to do this, or if you hear about legislation that affects you, it is appropriate to contact or visit your legislator either in his or her district office or in Albany. You can help to pass or defeat legislation by making sure that your legislators know your opinions. It is important to know the official number of the bill, and its sponsor, so that your legislators will know what bill you are talking about. After the bill you are interested in gets assigned to a committee, you may also write, phone or fax the appropriate committee chair, and other legislators who sit on the committee, to give them your position on the
bill. Legislators will usually pay most attention to their constituents. Even one constituent letter
or visit can influence how a legislator votes. Do not forget to write or fax the Governor who must finally decide whether the bill becomes a law. Before he signs a bill, the Governor usually seeks advice from experts and those affected by the legislation. Make sure you make your opinions
known. For more information about this subject, contact Constituent Services for either the Assembly or Senate in Albany.

Welcome new member

The NCBA is proud to welcome Tony Zarbo, Residential Sales Manager for Amherst Alarm, Inc. to the association. Tony is committed to helping the builder with their customers’ inquiries regarding home security systems, central vacuum systems, home theatre, music intercom systems, CCTV systems and many more services and products that Amherst Alarm, Inc. provides. Builders can be assured that Tony will provide polite, professional and knowledgeable customer service to their customers as well as meet the needs of the builders’ schedules.

Amherst Alarm, Inc. was formed in 1984 to provide sales, installation, service and monitoring of electronic systems for area homes and businesses. The company has grown to a full service operation with its own in-house UL listed central station for alarm monitoring. Complete system design capabilities are provided for the wide range of products that are offered. For additional information please contact Tony Zarbo at (716) 632-4600.

Benefits of NCBA Membership

When you joined the Niagara County Builders Association, you automatically became a member of the New York State Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders, providing you with the best in information, advocacy, education, and networking opportunities, as well as full-time lobbyists and the grassroots strength of over 225,000 working on Capitol Hill, in your state, and in the communities where you do business.

Membership provides networking opportunities with fellow professionals, customers, and suppliers at monthly membership meetings, regional trade shows, national committees, and special-interest councils. You can also attend NAHB’s trade shows and expositions and get a first-hand look at all the industry’s latest products and services.

For over 60 years NAHB has been keeping you up-to-date with Nation’s Building News Online, a comprehensive weekly summary of the housing industry, and a free subscription for builder and architect members to Builder Magazine. NYSBA members also receive a free bi-monthly copy of Empire State Builder magazine.

Finally, NAHB’s purchasing power means big savings for you with member-only discounts on car rentals, office products, PCs, payroll services, overnight delivery, and more. Participating, companies include Dell, General Motors, Paychex, Pitney Bowes, MBNA, DHL, Roadway, and Hertz, to name a few.

Join over 225,000 industry professionals dedicated to the housing industry. Whether you’re a multi-family or custom builder, a remodeler or supplier, membership in your local, state, and national associations provides the tools you need to succeed! Visit www.nahb.org and www.NYSBA.com for complete details.

NCBA Officers & Directors

News from the NYSBA

GET INVOLVED IN NYSBA’S NEW DEVELOPERS COUNCIL
AT THE NY STATE BUILDERS SHOW!

Attend the New York State Builders Show, September 28-30, at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY and take advantage of professional development and education opportunities while learning about the benefi ts the Developers Council is designed to provide for our members involved in land development.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Th ursday, September 28, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Land Development, Site Planning and Zoning

Th ere are many things to consider before you start building. This course will give you an understanding of site planning and improvements, government approvals, and provide you with the tools to manage the process eff ectively to ensure a successful development project. (NAHB Certifi ed Graduate Builder (CBG), Certifi ed Graduate Associate (CGA) Designation Course -- $230 member, $270 nonmember fee).

EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR
Saturday, September 30, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Stormwater Management – Design, Management and Cost Issues
(a.k.a. How To Stay Out of Trouble)

A look at the current NYSDEC Phase II stormwater regulations and their aff ect on new construction. This session will present information no the current requirements for the design and construction of stormwater management facilities, implementing and monitoring construction erosion control plans and staying out of trouble. This session will provide a brief overview of the regulations and concentrate on the implementation and construction aspects of your projects. The program will include: (1) how the regulations eff ect land use and construction costs; (2) why and how you need to budget for land loss and costs, up front; (3) how to keep your design and paperwork in order to minimize up front approval time and issues; (4) keeping yourself documented so you are in compliance and avoiding enforcement; (5)procedural issues to deal with and dealing with vigilante NIMBY’s that are using these regulations to shut projects down; (6) the next wave of regulations that are eff ecting municipalities and will further effect developers; (7) how to help your Local, State and National Builders Associations fight your fight on these issues. (Included in Builders Show Full Registration Fee).