Government Affairs
One of the primary missions of the Modular Building Institute is through modular industry advocacy to increase the adoption of modular construction techniques and remove barriers for the industry. With the help of its dedicated government affairs team, MBI continues to create opportunities for industry growth and expansion.
Latest Government Affairs Updates
Stay up-to-date on MBI's latest work here. New updates on modular industry policies and advocacy are added regularly.
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MBI Makes Progress with U.S. Dept. of Labor Ahead of Congressional Recess
As both chambers of Congress begin their five-week recess, MBI continues to make progress with key congressional members who have oversight of the Department of Labor.
Davis-Bacon Update: House Committee Hearing Summary
MBI’s outreach to Congressional lawmakers is paying dividends – essentially keeping pressure on the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and its proposed expansion of the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), where the final rule remains pending.
New York Bill Defeated for Fourth Year in a Row!
Despite a late push by the New York Senate to pass S5422, MBI and our coalition partners successfully defeated the bill as it failed to pass the House Assembly late in the session and during the extended session.
MBI Works with Washington State to Improve Plan Review Process
In October of 2021, MBI Government Affairs Director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna was informed Washington’s Labor and Industries’ plan reviews were being delayed...
New York Bill Would Require More Regulations on Modular Manufacturers
MBI is working with our New York lobbyist to defeat SB4738/A2039B, which would require constant supervision by a city official.
Featured Articles
Go beyond the updates with these exclusive, in-depth articles detailing MBI's government affairs efforts and the impacts they're having on MBI members and the modular construction industry at-large.
MBI Defeats Davis-Bacon Expansion
The Modular Building Institute, with the support of its members, has defeated the US. Dept. of Labor’s Davos-Bacon Act expansion, and the stakes for the modular construction industry could not have been higher.
Additional Government Affairs Updates
Washington State Extends Emergency Order, Again
MBI works with the department of labor to extend their emergency order and...
Colorado Commits $40 million to modular industry
MBI works to create an incentive program to bring more manufactures to the state and incentivize the construction of factory-built housing
Virginia Adopts ANSI 1200 and 1205
Virginia has become the first state in the country to adopt these new standards...
MBI Working with ICC to Develop New ANSI Standard
MBI Government Affairs Director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna, has completed work on the ICC 1210 development committee for MBI/ICC ANSI 1210 standard. This new standard will focus on...
MBI-Sponsored Offsite Construction Expos Attracting Government Officials
The Offsite Construction Expo, held in Washington D.C this past August has many different government officials register for the show.
20 Government Agencies and 20 Housing Authorities targeted to Attend 2023 World of Modular by GA Committee
Program Managers and Building Officials from key states/provinces will be invited to be our guests at 2023 WOM...
New York Moving Towards Adoption of New ANSI Standards
MBI is partnering with the ICC to work with the department of state to adopt new modular standards across the United States. After multiple discussions...
Massachusetts Names New Building Program Manager
Massachusetts new Manufactured Building Program Manager, Syno Tell was our guest for the August MBI Town Hall call. He announced that his department is considering several new concepts to improve...
Ukrainian Refugee Support Opportunities- Update
An important update on the ongoing refugee crisis in Ukraine and possible support opportunities by MBI and others.
MBI Solves State-Level Issues
A state-by-state update on various modular happenings across the country. Including important updates from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, and more..
Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) Update
The Modular Building Institute is still monitoring the Department of Labor for them to publish their final rule. MBI and our DC lobbying team are connecting with key members of Congress to educate them on this issue and ask for their support.
CMHC and MBI are working with Private Canadian Banks to continue support for Housing in Canada
CMHC and MBI Government Affairs Director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna are working with Scotiabank and Bank of Montreal on a program to use their $22 billion commitment for Canadian housing over the next 10 years.
Washington State Extends Emergency Order/Plans to Adopt ANSI 1205
Leadership from Washington’s modular program participated in the MBI July Town Hall call and confirmed they were extending their Emergency Order to continue use of third-party inspection agencies until August 2022.
MBI Works with Colorado, Idaho & More to Clarify Code Interpretation
MBI is working with multiple states to clarify fire protection requirements, third-party inspections, and more.
Ukrainian Refugee Support Opportunities
Members interested in working with EU countries in need of assistance for Ukrainian refugees can visit the RescEU program site to learn how to sign up to work with their assistance program.
New York Bill Would Require More Regulations on Modular Manufacturers
The Modular Building Institute and our NY Lobbyist have worked with Central Staff at the legislature to keep the bill from being sent to the Governor as we work to have Governor Hochul veto the bill.
CMHC Discussing Third Round of Rapid Housing Initiative Funding
This would add to the $4.2 billion they have already utilized to build affordable housing across Canada using only modular construction.
MBI Submits Public Comments to Dept. of Labor in Opposition of Davis-Bacon Act Expansion
The Modular Building Institute has submitted public comments Re: RIN 1235-AA40, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations. These comments, supported by additional comment submissions from MBI members, explain MBI’s opposition to the proposed changes.
Canadian Building Code Changes Are Coming
Ontario’s Regulatory Registry has proposed to amend the Canadian Building Code to adopt CSA A277 which would reduce barriers and speed up construction for the modular industry.
Canadian Building Code Changes Could Be Coming
Ontario’s Regulatory Registry has proposed to amend the Canadian Building Code to reduce barriers and speed up construction for the modular industry.
Washington State Extends Emergency Order
MBI worked with leadership with the Department of Labor & Industry to extend their Emergency Order and continue using Third Party Inspection Agencies...
MBI Successfully Defends Relocatable Code Language in Atlanta, Louisiana & Seattle
MBI worked with members and code officials across the country to clarify and uphold existing codes for relocatable buildings.
New York Bill Would Require More Regulations on Modular Manufacturers
MBI is working with our New York lobbyist to defeat SB4738, which would require constant supervision of a licensed city official, regardless of where the structure is manufactured.
MBI Proactively Working for Multi-State Adoption of ANSI 1200 & 1205
MBI is proactively working with three states—VA, NY & MD—to adopt the latest industry-specific ANSI Standards, MBI/ICC 1200 & 1205.
MBI Helps Members Overcome Application of New Standards by Illinois Building Officials
Illinois code officials are attempting to implement a mandate for drinking fountains in all relocatable classrooms. MBI is now involved.
New Opportunities in Colorado
The Governor has included $25 million for this initiative, and it could grow to as much as $40 million.
Massachusetts Names New Building Program Manager
Massachusetts has named a new Manufactured Building Program Manager, Syno Tell. Mr. Tell will be the MBI Town Hall guest during...
MBI Working with ICC to Develop New ANSI Standard
MBI and the International Code Council are collaborating on a new standard that will supplement MBI/ICC 1200 & 1205.
Washington State Extends Third-Party Plan Reviews
The 120-day emergency order that Washington State's Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) adopted to utilize third-party inspection agencies for plan reviews is set to expire on April 20. Due to MBI's continued involvement, L&I’s leadership team has agreed to...
Ukrainian Refugee Support Update
MBI Government Affairs Director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna, has connected with the United Nations Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as the Poland Association of Cities, to provide information on how our industry can provide housing and other rapidly deployable structures to assist with the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis...
New York Department of State in Discussions with MBI to Adopt ANSI 1205
MBI Government Affairs Director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna, and ICC’s VP of Government Affairs have had multiple calls with New York’s Department of State to discuss adoption of ANSI 1205...
MBI Working with Maryland to Adopt ANSI 1205 and New Re-Seal Process
MBI is partnering with ICC to encourage Maryland’s Division of Labor and Industry to adopt ANSI standard 1205, which would allow the department to utilize third party inspection agencies...
Virginia Modular Program Voting to Adopt ANSI 1200 and ANSI 1205
MBI is working with Virginia’s State Building Codes Director to have ANSI 1200 and ANSI 1205 included in their modular program...
Ontario Proposes Interim Amendments to 2012 Building Code
Ontario’s Regulatory Registry released notification that they are proposing three Interim Amendment to the 2012 Building Code....
City of Seattle Code Official Clarifies Ruling on Relocatable Structures
The city of Seattle tried to enforce that a relocatable structure must meet their requirements, even though the structures had already been approved by the state’s modular program...
Correcting Misunderstandings in Louisiana
Louisiana building code officials were trying to force members to bring their relocatable structures up to the current building codes...
Correcting Misunderstandings in Atlanta
Atlanta building code officials were trying to force member companies to bring their relocatable structures up to the current building codes...
MBI Continuing to Fight NY Bill
The New York Senate is again attempting to advance anti-industry legislation that would require...
Washington Making Progress in Partnership with MBI to Improve Plan Review Times
As a result of MBI's efforts, Washington State is reporting that plan review time has improved from 20 weeks to...
California Moving Forward with Aggressive Affordable Housing Plan
MBI is in discussions with the Governor Newsom's office as well as the California Department of Housing and Community Development on initiatives to...
MBI Working with Maryland to Adopt ANSI 1205 and new Re-Seal Process
MBI is partnering with ICC to encourage Maryland’s Division of Labor and Industry to adopt ANSI standard 1205, which would allow...
New York Department of State in Discussions with MBI to Adopt ANSI 1205
MBI Government Affairs Director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna and ICC’s VP of Government Affairs have had multiple calls with New York’s Department of State to discuss adoption of ANSI 1205 ...
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Announces Proposal for Stretch Code Update and New Specialized Stretch Code
MBI participated in a webinar presentation with the Massachusetts DOER on February 8, 2022. The new energy proposal...
Washington State Agrees to Use Third-Party Inspection Agencies for Modular Projects
After several modular projects ground to a halt, MBI worked with Washington State officials to allow the use of third-party inspectors...
MBI Working with California Leadership to Utilize Modular to Solve Affordable Housing Crisis
MBI continues to have discussions with the California Governor’s office on an initiative to use modular...
MBI to Assist Colorado Division of Housing to Revamp Modular Program
Leadership with the Colorado Division of Housing has asked MBI Government Affairs...
New York Legislature Reintroduces Bill That Would Cripple the Modular Industry
For the third year in a row, MBI is working to defeat legislation in New York that would be devastating for the industry...
MBI & Maryland Dept. of Labor and Licensing Working to Encourage Adoption of ANSI 1205
MBI and ICC are working with Maryland's Department of Labor and Licensing to adopt ANSI 1205...
MBI Receives Invitation to Help Michigan’s Modular Program Become More Efficient
MBI Government Affairs Director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna, has been asked to serve as an advisory member with...
Michigan Legislators and Governor’s Office to Lift Hiring Freeze to Help with Plan Reviews
MBI received calls from several members about delays with plan reviews in Michigan...
MBI Working with Colorado Director of Building Codes and Standards to Improve Modular Program
MBI was contacted by several member companies that plan reviews in Colorado were being delayed...
California Governor’s Office Working with MBI on Shipping Container Initiative for Homeless
MBI Government Affairs Director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna, was contacted by leadership in Governor Newsom’s office to discuss a partnership with our industry...
MBI Works with Washington State Labor and Industries Department to Adopt Third Party Plan Reviews
At the end of August, MBI's government affairs director, Jon Hannah-Spacagna, was notified by members that plan reviews in Washington state were being delayed 16-20 weeks...