The BIAW Winter Board meeting brought nearly 200 members and staff together for association business, education and fundraising March 23- 25 at the Hilton Seattle Airport and Convention Center.

Meetings kicked off Monday with Senior Officers meeting in the morning followed by:

·         Local home building association executive officers;

·         Professional Women in Building; and

·         Washington Home Builders Foundation.

BIAW staff and senior officers later hosted a New Director Orientation to help new directors learn more about the association and opportunities to make the most of their board meeting experience.

Tuesday was jam-packed with committee meetings from 8 am through 5:45 pm. The membership luncheon featured keynote speaker Sen. Jessica Bateman (D-Olympia), Chair of the Senate Housing Committee, who shared her passion and perspectives on housing in Washington.

Housing chair speaks to membership

Since taking office as a state representative in 2021, Bateman has made increasing housing supply a top priority. She said when she took office, many Democrats were talking about downstream effects of the state’s housing shortage, like homelessness or affordability, while missing the root cause.

“Democrats were talking about the symptoms,” she said. “Now there’s a universal understanding—we have to build more housing.”

During her time in the Legislature, Bateman has played a leading role in several major housing bills supported by BIAW aimed at increasing supply.

She was the prime sponsor of House Bill 1110, the landmark “middle housing” legislation that allows duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and other small multi-unit homes in areas traditionally zoned only for single-family housing.

She also helped pass HB 1337, which reduces barriers to building accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and supported additional measures to expand housing options and convert existing buildings to residential use.

Home Builders Foundation Gala raises $100K+ to support trades training

Tuesday evening, BIAW members and trades education supporters enjoyed the first-ever Washington Home Builders Foundation Gala and Auction, where they learned more about how BIAW’s Foundation is helping to create the next generation of skilled workers.

The gala featured the story of Kitsap Building Association and Foundation board of directors member Aaron Logue of Moss & Madder Builders.  Logue shared how he helped his employee, Jemal, connect with the BuildStrong Academy of Pierce County—Powered by HBI and what a difference that made in Jemal’s life.

While numbers are being finalized, the auction raised well over $100,000, between sponsorships, ticket sales, auction bids and the paddle raise—not including a $50,000 match from the Spokane Homebuilders Foundation.

Board meeting celebrates top recruiters and builders + new member benefits

Board members saw lots of action at Wednesday’s board meeting, including:

·         Votes on two policy changes affecting travel for leaders and election of NAHB delegates;

·         Approval of the new Certified Safety Partner pilot project;

·         Recognition of the 2025 Top Spikes and Category Leaders; and

·         Celebration of the Star Builder Awards presented by the Associates Advisory Committee.

The Board of Directors also approved shifting the BIAW Contract Subscription Service from a paid benefit to a free BIAW Contract Package for all builder members. Effective immediately, all BIAW builder members can access more than two dozen of the most common construction contracts for free, saving them thousands in legal fees.

Finally, the BIAW Board of Directors approved a new insurance program to be offered by BIAW and sold by BIAW member insurance brokers. Stay tuned for more information as the program is approved by the State Insurance Commissioner.

Watch for more details about the BIAW Winter Board Meeting in the March/April edition of Building Insight.

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