EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEBRUARY 25-27
INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS SHOW
LAS VEGAS, NV

MARCH 13
Board & General Meeting
TBD

New Members

Heartland Homes
Contact: Erik Gomez
7144 Long Meadow
El Paso, TX 79934
915-549-6056

Bumble Bee Blinds of El Paso
Contact: Aggie Choi
645 Wallenberg Dr., Suite A 11
El Paso, TX 79912
806-939-8558

KUBE
Contact: Paul Marban
3962 Doniphan Drive
El Paso, TX 79922
915-401-1055

Zuni Insulation
Contact: Adriana Zuniga
421 Mahan
Clint, TX 79836
915-850-8218

Outlook on the Scene

Members Represent EP Builders in Austin

The 2025 Texas Legislative Session was opened in February, and it will be one for the record books. The legislature only meets every two years in Texas and that means legislation passed before has to be protected and new bills vetted. In that process the Texas Association of Builders confers Rally Day, a gathering of all Texas local associations in a show of unity and strength at the Capitol.

This session, the 89th, has already spawned thousands of potential bills, some that will make the Governors desk and the majority will be on the cutting room floor. Water is a hot topic across Texas, with proposals to pipe water into the state from Louisiana and other states that have historically had more water than they use. Other proposed legislation involves issues the associations will look at for costs and decide to support or rally against.

Some early proposed bills include HB 2225, which would amend the Local Government Code chapter 395. This bill will involve the EPAB since we are considered a Texas expert association in this kind of dealing. HB 2559 would reconcile moratorium timelines and procedures, lowering the excessive costs associated with building moratoriums. SB 898 from Senator Cesar Blanco and State Rep Joe Moody would increase the amount of money allocated to El Paso for tax-credit housing which is much needed. HJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to provide the creation of funds to go educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System. Consider professions such as welders and HVAC technicians, among others.

We met with each of our four State reps Gonzalez, Ordaz, Moody and Perez and Senator Blanco. Our thanks to them and their staff for accommodating our group.

The El Paso delegation in attendance for Rally Day included President Victor Robles, Vice President Lydia Mlouhi. Secretary Jacob Barde, Past Presidents Jaime Gonzalez and Sal Masoud, Associates Vice President Angelique Roman, Sam Mlouhi, Alexis Ferguson, Raul Gonzalez, Margaret Adauto, and Ray Adauto. We would like to thank HUB International, Luis Rosas, for supporting the visit to Austin.

Outlook on the Scene

Special Handmade Valentine's Warms Seniors Hearts

Thanks to all who contributed to the Valentines for Seniors event. We had over one thousand hand scribed cards to hand out to the hundreds of senior care centers many who are unfortunately “warehoused” and forgotten.

This community project was started by Lydia and Lauren Mlouhi of Crown Heritage Homes. The co-captains this year included Kelly Sorenson, Lisa Bilderbach, Leti Navarette, and Samira Gonzalez. Maravilla Homes, Gale Insulation, Blue Sage Homes, Ysleta High School NHS, Classic American Homes, Explicitly Signature Homes, Prosperus Title, WestStar, Horizon Heights Elementary and Escontrias Elementary all created the cards. Thank you all!