Type "missouri hb 978" into a Google search and see what comes up.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by bwiley

This should be classified as "good news".

Tentatively.

May 31st is the deadline for a bill to finish its progress through both houses of congress. While this bill appears to be stalled, a group of real estate salespeople have been meeting secretly in Western Missouri to cook up a scheme to get it moving.

The Professional Licensing and Registration Committee for Missouri is heavily influenced by the Missouri Association of Realtors, with one member of this legislative body being a past president and (if rumors are true) their next president. Several other members of this committee are members of MAR or are builders/contractors who have also been behind this bill, covertly.

It is too soon for us to declare a total victory, but it is safe to say that the members of the Missouri House of Representatives who are not bought and paid for by the MAR are anxious to publicly make it a matter for record should the salesmen and their association be successful in getting the bill to progress through the House.

It is not a "slam dunk" either way. Licensing in Missouri, contrary to previous reports, is not inevitable or imminent. A very bloody and public battle over the real estate salespeople's attempt to govern home inspectors is, however. It will be a doozy. I promise.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

If one thinks the Ohio RE study which includes Missouri, would not impress people like "honest legislators", the media, the public, or consumer groups - then I'm sure other studies or similar things wouldn't be impressive this far out front but might be very important as ammo later in the game if needed.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by dbowers

If one thinks the Ohio RE study which includes Missouri, would not impress people like "honest legislators", the media, the public, or consumer groups - then I'm sure other studies or similar things wouldn't be impressive this far out front but might be very important as ammo later in the game if needed.

Perhaps.

Additionally, if one thinks that old attitudes toward real estate salesmen become more relevant with time, one might also be mistaken.

Both documents would have the most impact at a public hearing on this bill, if one is ever scheduled, but both will soon become dated and must be used before they become "yesterday's news". I have been invited to meet with another representative today to answer his questions regarding the conflict of interest derived from the wishes of the Missouri Assoc of Realtors (aka HB 978 ) and I will be referring to the findings of both surveys to show how the conflict of interest already exists...and can only get worse with HB 978.

[James H. Bushart]

Let's have some fun, shall we?

Sam Licklider is the chief lobbyist for the Missouri Association of Realtors.

Sam also represents (or represented...not clear on this) Missourians in favor of cockfighting...and nudists.

Who wants to be the first to find a common link between the three?

[James H. Bushart]

Some of my admirers at MAR, NAHI and ASHI are monitoring these threads to see what the next move of the opposition to their HB 978 will be.

Here is what's coming.

Another bill that the MAR supports that is now sitting before the same committee as HB 978, is HB 324.

HB 324 -- Sexual Offender Registry

Sponsor: Smith (150)

This bill specifies that real estate licensees will be immune
from liability for acts or omissions regarding the disclosure of
information on registered sexual offenders if the information
given only refers to where their clients may obtain information
on the sexual offender registry.

Yes. You read that right.

The same people that want to govern home inspectors on a real estate salesman controlled licensing board ALSO want the right to conceal the fact that the home you are purchasing to move into with your five pre-teen daughters has a child molester living next door.

Anything for a sale and to protect the salesman making it.

Wait until you see where I go with this one.
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