I am deeply honored to serve as your 2025 President of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina (HBASC). Over the past 20 years, my involvement with the HBASCand the BIA of Central SChas profoundly shaped my professional journey, and I am excited to give back to an organization that has been instrumental in my growth.
The HBASCexists to promote, serve, and protect the building industry while advocating for policies that benefit not only our members but also the citizens of South Carolina. In 2025, we must focus on strengthening our association, tackling critical legislative challenges, ensuring the future of our industry through workforce development and training, and addressing the vital issue
of home attainability
As housing costs rise, the dream of home ownership slips further out of reach for many South Carolinians. Ensuring that homes remain attainable and affordable must be central to our efforts. This includes addressing regulatory barriers, limiting excessive litigation that drives up costs, and fostering policies that support economic growth and development.
One of our highest priorities this year is advancing the Comprehensive Tort Reform Act of 2025 (S.244). This bill is essential to curbing the escalating costs and uncertainties in our legal system that harm builders, businesses, and homeowners alike. Key provisions include:
1. Ensuring Accountability and Fairness:Holding individuals and businesses accountable only for the damages they cause, aligning with neighboring states like Georgia and North Carolina.
2. Reducing the "Tort Tax": Helping South Carolina families save an estimated $3,700 per household annually by lowering insurance premiums and cutting excessive litigation costs.
3. Reinforcing Personal Responsibility:Eliminating legal loopholes that unfairly shift blame, reflecting South Carolina's values of fairness and accountability.
4. Clarifying Construction Liability:Differentiating between minor and significant building code violations, providing much-needed balance and clarity.
5. Boosting Economic Competitiveness and Home Affordability:Creating a more predictable legal environment that encourages business growth, reduces construction costs, and keeps home ownership within reach for more South Carolinians.
Tort reform is a cornerstone of our advocacy efforts, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. We must also continue to develop the workforce needed to build the homes of tomorrow and strengthen the SCBuilders PACto ensure we have the resources to advocate effectively.
Tort reform is a cornerstone of our advocacy efforts, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. We must also continue to develop the workforce needed to build the homes of tomorrow and strengthen the SCBuilders PACto ensure we have the resources to advocate effectively. The work we do as an association?whether fighting against burdensome regulations, advocating for better policies, or equipping members with tools to grow their businesses?plays a crucial role in improving the availability and affordability of housing across our state. It depends on the dedication, energy, and involvement of every member. I urge each of you to engage actively, recruit new members, and support our PACto ensure we have the resources needed to advocate for the future of home building in South Carolina.Together, we will make 2025 a year of progress and prosperity for our industry, ensuring that the dream of home ownership remains attainable for families in every corner of our state. I look forward to working alongside all of you to strengthen the HBASC, improve our legal and economic environment, and advance the success of home building in South Carolina.
Eddie Yandle President
Mix , Mingle and Music for the members of the greater Aiken-Augusta HBA wasa fun time for everyone.
Membersof the Building Industry Association of Central SC (BIA) enjoyed dancing the night away at their annual Holiday Ball.
Congratulationsto Stan O'Brien of Paradime Construction Co., Inc. for being named the 2024 BIA Byron Crosthwaite Residential Builder Member of the year.
Congratulationsto Richard Hitchler of 84 Lumber who wasnamed the 2024 BIA Associate Member of the Year.
Congratulationsto Karl Haslinger who wasname the Richard N. Sendler award recipient for BIA.
Congratulationsto 84 Lumber who isBIA's 2024 Corporate Member of the Year.
Congratulationsto Doug Floyd! He was presented with the 2025 Champion of Housing Award.
