Legal/Political Funds

Legal/Political Funds

Political Action Committee

The Montana Affordable Housing Council (MAHC) contributes funds to local and state election candidates and ballot issues throughout metro Atlanta and in the state legislature. It does not contribute to federal election campaigns. MAHC is affiliated with the Southwest Montana Building Industry Association. As an HBA member, you have the right to recommend a contribution request to the MAHC trustees. The MAHC Board of Directors is made up of HBA members who volunteer their time on behalf of the industry. There are three ways members can be involved with MAHC: 1) Make a contribution at any time payable to MAHC and mail it to the office; 2) make the $25 voluntary contribution noted on your HBA dues invoice; 3) Do your research and send your requests to the SWMBIA Government Affairs Department to support candidates that support the homebuilding industry.

Action Fund

SWMBIA’s Critical Issues Fund is an essential component of the association’s government affairs program. It was created to provide financial support for important legal cases, political affairs projects and other initiatives that advance the industry’s public policy interests. The goal of the fund is to improve the legal and regulatory climate for the home builders of southwest Montana.

The fund is a useful resource for the HBA to challenge local government laws and regulations and assist members in doing the same; increase member political involvement; and publicize important public policy issues. Effective use of the fund will defeat and discourage bad public policy and energize SWMBIA’s political involvement.

The Critical Issues Fund is managed by a six-member committee, which meets as necessary. The committee considers funding requests from SWMBIA members; identifies issues and initiatives worthy of support; and determines how Critical Issues Fund assets are used.

Recently the Critical Issues Fund provided essential support for important legal cases, including SWMBIA’s suit against the City of Bozeman over impact fees, which resulted in a $5 million award for city fee payers. The Critical Issues Fund will continue to monitor and support legal challenges to regulatory and impact fees in southwest Montana.

You can contribute directly to the Critical Issues Fund by sending a contribution to the SWMBIA office or checking the Critical Issues Fund on your SWMBIA renewal form.