NH leg. update

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

Originally Posted by prussell

Great news Frank, I think our presence in the first two rows at the hearing paid off. When they saw how many small independent inspectors where there and from all over the state they must have realized the impact the ASHI bill would have on us.

Hi Peter,
I received a private message from Senator Cilley today.
I will be happy to share it with you privately.

[Carla Horne]

update as of yesterday,

the house status of HB763: retained in committee

the senate status of SB212: report filed, ought to pass with amendments 6-0

thats all for now

CJ

[dbelmont]

Originally Posted by chorne

update as of yesterday,

the house status of HB763: retained in committee

the senate status of SB212: report filed, ought to pass with amendments 6-0

thats all for now

CJ

Hi All,

Since I was present for the Senate committee action I thought there might be some interest in what those amendments were.

1. The reciprocity (or rather lack of reciprocity requirement) was fixed. So that out-of-state inspectors (in our case usually Massachusetts) will only be able to get reciprocal licensing in NH if their state (Massachusetts) offers that to licensed New Hampshire inspectors. Meaning no offense to anyone but that is only fair. If you want to play in my sandbox then I should be allowed to play in yours under the same basis. Folks from out-of-state will still be allowed to apply for a NH license but they will have to meet whatever licensing requirements are finally established on an equal footing with local folks.

2. The other fix dealt with the board to make the structure less susceptible to being controlled by any one association. I'm sure this is causing some teeth gnashing in certain quarters. If this thing does finally get through having a board that is not controlled by narrow vested interests will be important to the future here in New Hampshire.

For any New Hampshire NACHI members who are still sitting on the sidelines on this issue I urge you to get into this fray. I know many of you who are opposed to licensing and in the true "Live Free or Die" spirit I agree with you. But the clear trend is that licensing is coming. You can choose to influence what you have to live with or be surprised (and perhaps out of business) on January 1st.

As the bill stands now there are other provisions that make it a "real stinker". But the work continues to influence the process. If you are now in business as a NH home inspector you need to get involved in this process while there is time to make a difference.

If anyone needs more info feel free to write or call me anytime. 603-353-4100

[James H. Bushart]

Mr. Belmont makes an important point.

I oppose licensing wherever it can be found. I am in favor of repealling it where it presently exists.

However, if you oppose licensing in your state...remaining silent is not an option. Get out and fight both of these bills.

Force the legislature to do the impossible and prove that state control over your business is necessary.

Fight all legislation or support the bill you want...but remaining silent on the issue is not an option.

[dbelmont]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Mr. Belmont makes an important point.

I oppose licensing wherever it can be found. I am in favor of repealling it where it presently exists.

However, if you oppose licensing in your state...remaining silent is not an option. Get out and fight both of these bills.

Force the legislature to do the impossible and prove that state control over your business is necessary.

Fight all legislation or support the bill you want...but remaining silent on the issue is not an option.

I concur. If you are not willing to be involved then you are at the mercy of those who will be involved. I recognize that the commitment to be involved is not trivial. Like you I need to make a living and having an invalid wife to care for just adds to my responsibilities. But I know I either get involved or most likely get screwed.

Regardless of your position by being involved you put your government on notice that you are watching. It can help make them more careful if they know they can't just cut a deal with a paid lobbyist.

Right now is a critical time in New Hampshire. Pending legislaiton ,if approved, will cost NH home inspectors hundreds or even thousands of dollars to stay in business. That is fact. Or put you out of business without recourse. Also fact. With the shift in power in the legistature (Democrats in control) there is a different emphasis then under the previous (Republican ) legislature. (Now I don't say that to start a party war. Just to point out that the new guy often needs/wants to make their mark in areas that the previous folks were content to leave alone). If you are sitting home thinking this will go nowhere I do believe you will be very surprised.

At a minimum the current Senate bill will require you to pay for and pass the NHIE. (the language is highly obfuscated but that's what it adds up to) (About $300 now right?). $50 if you want to practice. As well as whatever the eventual license fee turns out to be. But that is likely to be in the hundreds as the bill (like most NH legislation) requires the board to set it to generate 125% of the cost of administering the program. (Can you say profit for a cash starved legislature) That assumes you are able to meet the other requirements for a license. It's possible that many of you will find yourself a few inspections short and have to stop working for months or longer while you fork over more money to be properly trained. If the training is available at any price as the requirements for a trainer are also very high. (Again a fact of the bill) Or maybe you've got a pile of inspections but unless you can prove it to the boards satisfaction you will be paying for retraining anyway and they won't shed one tear.

I'm not saying any of this to be critical of this bill but you should have some facts. Perhaps you would agree with the provisions. Maybe you wouldn't. But if you don't particiapte then all you can do is accept the results. And I believe that most folks won't be pleased with them.

[Peter C. Russell]

One point I would like to make is the required education, SB212 was proposed to take effect I believe, but may be wrong, around July 1 2007. The ASHI lobbyist, I prefer to call him what he is! stated that they are willing to push that date out to January 1 2008. If we do not know what course will be required or test for that matter how can we possibly prepare to stay in business?

These are questions that need to be answered now

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

Originally Posted by prussell

One point I would like to make is the required education, SB212 was proposed to take effect I believe, but may be wrong, around July 1 2007. The ASHI lobbyist, I prefer to call him what he is! stated that they are willing to push that date out to January 1 2008. If we do not know what course will be required or test for that matter how can we possibly prepare to stay in business?

These are questions that need to be answered now

Quote:
how can we possibly prepare to stay in business?
End Quote:
You can't! And that is the whole purpose of Senate Bill 212!

This Bill was written by Joseph Bates, past president of ASHI New England, Robert McDonald current president of ASHI New England, and David Roth current vice president of ASHI New England.


Why you think that anyone of these three "gentleman" would want any of their competition to remain in business?