Welcome to the Future!
What is happening? Tennessee is considering legislation, SB 1999 (2022 | TN) to extend the data retention requirement for license plate readers. Extending the length of time a law enforcement entity can hold license plate data from 90 days to 100 days.
Why is this important? A proposed amendment would preempt local regulation of license plate readers.
How will this be important? Bye bye local control
Nashville Scene | Legislation Could Prevent Nashville From Restricting License Plate Readers
What is happening? Mississippi Legislature passed HB 1769 (2022 | MS) an eminent domain bill that would prohibit the conveying of property to a private entity, and place the prohibition in the state constitution.
Why is this important? There are 8 exceptions: utilities, levee facilities, roads, bridges, ports, airports, common carriers, & drainage facilities
How will this be important? Some states have longer exception lists. Some states don’t put this in the constitution at all.
What is happening? A Minnesota lawmakers wants cities and counties to have an exception to state building code requirements so that cities can adapt more quickly of the building of large buildings.
Why is this important? Minneapolis leaders point to “ 71% of our carbon emissions come from our built environment, from buildings and the energy they use,”
How will this be important? Strong building codes help the climate
Energy News Network | Minnesota cities want permission to move faster than state on energy codes
What is happening? We’ve talked about building codes that are encouraging wood structures because the wood will clean air.
Why is this important? A 75 meter tall, 20 story building in Sweden is able to capture 9 million kilograms of CO2
How will this be important? According to a UN Environment report, building construction is 38 % of global energy-related carbon emissions in 2015
Euronews.green | Sweden’s innovative wooden skyscraper can capture 9 million kilograms of CO2
What is happening? A budget amendment in Iowa would prevent the Iowa Utilities Board from holding a hearing on certain eminent domain use cases, thereby preventing the use of eminent domain in those instances.
Why is this important? Stand alone legislation preventing eminent domain for carbon pipelines that would transport carbon through Iowa stalled.
How will this be important? Will this catch on for other issues- not allow courts to expend funds for certain suits.
What is happening? The FTC is considering a complaint against John Deere on the express prohibition of repairing your own John Deere tractor. “FTC chair Lina Khan announced last summer that her agency would be cracking down on John Deere and its competitors “with vigor.”’
Why is this important? Some states are also acting to ensure the right to repair extends to farm equipment.
How will this be important? All 5 FTC Commissioners support the right to repair.
Governing | Why Are Farmers Battling for the Right to Fix Their Own Tractors?
What is happening? Baltimore is trying to beat blight by allowing people to buy abandoned homes for $1. Baltimore has 15,000 vacant homes.
Why is this important? Baltimore did this in the 70s by selling abandoned properties for $1.
How will this be important? Baltimore is also using American Rescue Plan Act funds to fund costs for improving the properties.
Governing | Once Again, Baltimore Hopes to Fight Blight With $1 Homes
What is happening? Zero Energy Buildings have increased 350% since 2011. Today there are 150. An example of a Zero Energy Building is one that draws its heat from underground water sources, its electricity from solar panels, & has triple paned windows to track carbon dioxide and allow fresh air in.
Why is this important? Illinois state energy plan includes Zero Energy buildings as one of its many options.
How will this be important? These technologies, including electric heat pumps for water heaters, are most common in buildings, but geothermal and other Zero Energy Building tools are spreading to residential building.
Chicago Tribune via Governing | Zero-Energy Buildings Are the Future Structures of Illinois
What is happening? Cleveland has a program to recycle building materials into new buildings
Why is this important? The salvaging of building materials reduces landfill waste and this cuts methane
How will this be important? The program spurred nonprofits to assist in the salvaging of building materials
What is happening? Wise County Virginia is putting its land records on blockchain.
Why is this important? We’ve been chatting about how pest fraudulent title filings are mucking up electronic records. Blockchain increases the security of the records and provides for rapid certification by real estate professionals.
How will this be important? The local title offices are working with experts and universities as they build out their blockchain data bases, which is also leading to a strengthening of the work force.