Update From Today

[PAUL J. MAGRONE]

It appears that they are reconsidering giving more time to people to meet the new requirements. I found this on the Florida Senate web site today.

468.8324 Grandfather clause.--A person who
19 performs home inspection services as defined in this part may
20 qualify to be licensed by the department as a home inspector
21 if the person meets the licensure requirements of this part by
22 July 1, 2010.

I hear that there may be more changes. I was hoping for something different, but maybe they will remove the three years thing and require all to meet the requirements by this new date. Anyone hear anything about what else they are looking into modifying?

[Joseph T. Burkeson, CMI]

Originally Posted by pmagrone

It appears that they are reconsidering giving more time to people to meet the new requirements. I found this on the Florida Senate web site today.

468.8324 Grandfather clause.--A person who
19 performs home inspection services as defined in this part may
20 qualify to be licensed by the department as a home inspector
21 if the person meets the licensure requirements of this part by
22 July 1, 2010.

I hear that there may be more changes. I was hoping for something different, but maybe they will remove the three years thing and require all to meet the requirements by this new date. Anyone hear anything about what else they are looking into modifying?

Good my Granny & the kid selling kool-aid up the street now qualifies.

[Scott Keiper]

Originally Posted by jburkeson1

Good my Granny & the kid selling kool-aid up the street now qualifies.

Well the bill was intended to protect the people. It now makes sure everyone that is able to pass a test will be a home inspector. Granny get to work to pay for those nursing home bills!

[Gary L. Porter]

[PAUL J. MAGRONE]

I received a call from Steven Richardson at Senator Wise's office this morning. More changes are being discussed today. Right now it sounds like they are removing the grandfather clause and requiring all to meet the qualifications by July, 2010. I am not 100% certain that is what they will end up with but Mr. Richardson said it was being discussed. As far as the bill goes, it does not really serve the intended purpose of protecting the public even if they remove the grandfather. Hopefully it will be vetoed if it makes it that far. All indications are that they seem hell bent on passing the bill and the concerns of protecting the public are bogus. Mr. Richardson does not agree. He feels the bill is needed. Is it possible that these politicians really do not understand the industry and believe that just because they pass a bill, any bill that it will reflect positively on them? I hope it falls flat but worst case if it passes is no one business will be required to do something others won't be required to do.

[Mathew Hawley]

Good, the people that have pushed for this Bill and insist on Gov regulation of our industry should have to meet the requirements that they tried to push onto others, instead of excusing themselves with a grandfather clause. How can allowing thousands of home inspectors to get a free pass without meeting any requirements protect the consumers?

[Joseph T. Burkeson, CMI]

Thought I would share an email.

Florida Association of Building Inspectors, Inc.
(800) 544-FABI (3224) / (407) 897-5422 / Fax (407) 894-7673
www.fabi.org / thefabioffice@bellsouth.net
Dear FABI Members –

NAHI has provided us with the following link that our members can use to contact Governor Crist and Lt. Governor Kottkamp to support FABI and NAHI as we pursue the Florida House Bill 1399 and Senate Bill 2234.

http://capwiz.com/nahi/issues/alert/?alertid=9656616

[Mathew Hawley]

We should set something up just like their letter.

[Don Breen]

That is a pretty impressive letter, could someone who is a good letter writer put one together for NACHI the largest inspection organization in Fl. It's too bad a small amount of people will probably get this passed.

[Joseph T. Burkeson, CMI]

Tell me if you like this.

Dear Governor Crist:

From your years as Florida Attorney General and now as our Governor it is apparent that your goal is to protect the citizens of Florida. As a professional member of the Florida home inspection industry, I too seek to protect the consumer when making the single most expensive purchase they are likely to ever undertake, we are on the same team.

Today you are being presented the option to enact home inspector legislation into law here in Florida. At first glance House Bill 1399 and Senate Bill 2234 appear to be a viable way to set standards for the home inspection profession and insure the public will attain some modicum of protection. A true study of the bills provisions though would reveal they are lacking in any language that would set a minimum standard of care to protect the consumer. The bills are deficient in that they have no written Standards of Practice, nor is there any Code of Ethics upon which to guide the home inspector in his duty’s to the public. Furthermore the bill does not provide the consumer any information on what constitutes an inspection or what expectations can be relied upon when an inspection is performed. What really pains me and the majority of home inspectors in Florida is the association who is pushing hard for the passage of this legislation is the very same organizations that allows their members to perform repairs on homes they have inspected, which is clearly recognized as a conflict of interest by all other respected home inspection associations.

If you take the time to truly read this bill you will readily see this bill is not in keeping with the high standards that you have set for your administration and I respectfully request that you veto this legislation. Signing this poorly written legislation that lacks any set of standards into law would give consumers a false hope of protection where none currently exist within the bills.

We know your conviction to the citizens of Florida and your fervent desire to protect them, please send this legislation back to the House and Senate and demand this bill be amended to include language which would truly set Standards of Practice that will protect the public.

[Gary L. Porter]

Outstanding my friend

[Gary L. Porter]

I gave you a greenie for that letter Joe

[Mathew Hawley]

Nice letter Joe. Can anyone set it up like FABI did? Lets send as many as we can, we dont have much time.

[Don Breen]

Great letter Joe

[PAUL J. MAGRONE]

Absolutely tremendous letter. Not only is it well written, it is also the truth. NAHI's letter is a nice attempt to fool someone that they obviously feel is an idiot. Your letter spells out the real problem with this legislation very well and should be sent as often as possible by all NACHI members and their contacts. I have been dying to see this 800 pound guerrilla in action. Bring it boys!!