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The collegiate fire safety initiatives are not really new. These have been discussed in legislation for at least the past three years.
Many local municipalities are requiring that all fraternities and sororities have sprinkler systems by xyz year.
In my opinion, the more optimal legislation on the table (and HQ's, NIC, NPC, etc. are pushing for) is the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act. This legislation is basically a tax equity bill and benefits more than just GLOs. A brief explanation goes like this - it would allow money donated to an already established 501(c)3 (i.e. Delts Foundation, KDR Foundation, etc.) and earmarked for housing renovation to be 100% tax deductible as long as it's not for recreational or sports equipment (swimming pools, hot tubs, basketball courts, weight rooms).
The way the tax code is currently written, hypothetically, I can donate $200,000 to the KDR Foundation (since it is a 501 (c)3) to do housing renovations for sprinkler additions at my chapter house at XYZ University and the only portion of that donation that is tax deductible are the educational areas of the house (study lounge, computer lab, library, etc) but not the sleeping quarters. In other words I get a tax break for protecting books and computers but NOT students! It's actually pretty adsurd and this bill would make more sense. Conversely, I can donate $$ to XYZ University, tell them to build a dorm and it is entirely tax deductible. Fraternities and Sororities have a harder and harder time getting money for house maintenence and retrofitting older houses for improvements such as sprinkler systems - this bill would be a big help to that.
I would encourage you all to contact your Senators and Representatives to get them to support the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act.
There is more detail to the bill - if anyone wants more information (more specifics, bill number in house or senate, sponsors, what it's scored at, etc.) feel free to PM me.
Anyhow - I just wanted to add that part to this topic - since it's important. I'll get off my soapbox now.
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