Dallas Builders Host State of The Industry Summit to Address Political And Economic Climate

As conflict escalates in Ukraine, the Dallas housing community is left wondering how to help, what to do, and what the lasting effects will be on the local industry. 

Texas Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, and Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, will address the state of the housing industry at a summit on March 23 organized by the Dallas Builders Association. 

The legislators — both historically supportive of the DBA and real estate industry — will “demonstrate that housing affordability is a bipartisan issue,” according to the invitation for the summit, sponsored by Hotchkiss Insurance Agency. 

The politicians will be joined by Jim Gaines of Texas A&M University’s Texas Real Estate Research Center. Gaines is expected to address the supply-side constraints that hinder the housing industry, disruptions to the energy sector, and the overall economic impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Political And Economic Uncertainty

Dallas Builders Association Executive Officer Phil Crone is slated to facilitate the summit. 

“The program really tries to address the political and economic uncertainty we continue to experience in the world, head-on and from a housing-centric lens,” Crone said. “Dr. Gaines is one of the leading housing economists in our state. He’s going to provide a very good look at how the Russian invasion of Ukraine will impact energy prices and supply chains.” 

Furthermore, the politicians will give an inside look at what those in the housing industry can expect when the legislature reconvenes in January 2023. 

“Our conversation with Rep. Leach and Sen. Johnson will also discuss these events and provide a preview of the upcoming legislative session,” Crone said. “Each is a thoughtful leader with a solid understanding of our concerns and priorities.” 

On The Agenda

Johnson, who has served Dallas County’s District 16 since 2018, said the summit discussion will delve into the political and economic landscape for housing in the year ahead.

“Largely, we’re going to talk about the construction reform bill, House Bill 2237,” Johnson said, explaining that the recently-passed legislation he sponsored simplifies and modernizes Texas lien laws. “For decades, [builders and contractors] have had a very difficult time with their legal relationships because construction lien laws were so complex and counterintuitive. They were inefficient and left people playing gotcha games instead of being able to get their business done.” 

The old system was antiquated, he added, with a lengthy statute of limitations for notice requirements and too many opportunities for litigation. 

Johnson said the passage of the bill marks a high point in both the legislature and the construction industry. 

“Competing players in this market worked out a compromise that everyone can be proud of,” he said. 

Texas Rep. Jeff Leach, also on the panel for the State of the Industry Summit, is in his fifth term representing District 67, which covers Collin County. The representative also has been at the forefront of construction issues, sponsoring Senate Bill 219, which ensures that contractors are not liable for design defects. The bill passed in June and became effective in September. 

Passage of Leach’s Senate bill also was hard-fought, representing three legislative sessions of negotiation among industry leaders. The new law “relieves a contractor of responsibility for the consequences of design defects and prohibits the contractor from warranting the accuracy, adequacy, sufficiency, or suitability or the plans or specifications provided to the contractor by the designer,” according to the Texas Civil Justice League. 

The Dallas Builders Association State of the Industry Summit is set for 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 23. The cost is $25 for members, $35 for non-members.