Members of Southwest Montana Building Industry Association understand the role that government and regulation plays in their daily lives. Whether it’s dictating the number of units builders can construct on a piece of property or the type of materials they can use, some level of government impacts everything builders do on a minute-by-minute basis.

SWMBIA, like most successful industry associations, has developed a Government Affairs Committee to ensure that laws and regulations are reasonable and do not put members out of business. The committee represents the home builders’ voice at the table when such decisions are made by elected and appointed officials.

SWMBIA’s legislative objectives include:

• Promoting legislation favorable to the housing industry on the local and state levels.

• Enhancing the local building industry’s image before the legislators, prospective home buyers and the community at-large

At a glance, here’s what SWMBIA does for you each day on the legislative front

• Continuously monitors city council and planning commission agendas in all area cities in order to respond proactively to issues concerning the building industry.

• Reviews and submits comments on each city’s land-use plan, subdivision and zoning ordinances, and capital improvement plan.

• Actively funds the election of pro-business candidates through the Montana Affordable Housing Council.

• Keeps positive lines of communication open by meeting with elected and appointed city officials.

• Works closely with the Montana Building Industry Association to ensure that local industry interests are heard in Helena.