news

Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) joined with four of his House colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation (H.R. 4697) to help relieve the tax burden on victims of Chinese drywall. In 2008 it was discovered that certain brands of drywall imported from China were contaminated with toxic sulfuric compounds and a number of residents in new Indian River housing developments have reported problems with the air quality in their homes.

“I’m pleased we could work together to introduce legislation,” said Congressman Posey. “While we’re still waiting of direction from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, this bill would at least ensure that victims of toxic drywall are not subject to taxes on remediation payments.”

There are several brands of drywall which have been in use in the U.S. since 2004 that are considered to be harmful; and a number of housing developments in Indian River County have reported problems. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has been conducting tests on homes located in Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, and Alabama to better diagnose the health and corrosion issues encountered by homeowners with the affected drywall.

More specifically, the legislation which Posey cosponsored with Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA), Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS) and Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA), makes clear that only remediation payments from the Federal, State or local government are included.  Taxpayers can post date the remediation to September 2006, the date when CBP can confirm that hazardous drywall came into ports of entry and began to be installed. The bill applies to payments received after December 21, 2009. “As a member of the Chinese Drywall Caucus, I will continue to press the Consumer Product Safety Commission to finish their research and help provide guidance to families living in a state of limbo,” said Posey.