(WA. Legislation) Email from Larry Stamp of the WHILAG

[Peter Doane]

Hello Everybody,

It appears the substitute bill is moving forward, but don’t be disheartened. After all, this is a process so we still have opportunity to act. I will try to find out more about what happens next.

In the mean time ASHI National sent a letter of support for WHILAG (thanks Bob Kociolek!) and after talking with NAHI, they were going to do the same. However, NACHI was another matter: I contacted Nick Gromiko and was told, and I quote, “I’m pushing 5788…. association biasless, no?”. As you might imagine, I was pretty blindsided by his comment and since “biasless” is not a real word, I am also a bit confused. I tried to get some clarification, but I guess the conversation, such as it was, is over. I hesitated to share this message because I didn’t want to precipitate some turf war with our NACHI colleagues. My guess is they’re going to be equally shocked and I suspect many will be re-evaluating their professional affiliation. I know I would. So let’s keep working together!!

At this point, we need to prepare ourselves for another letter writing and calling campaign. First we need to take the time to think and we need to let our representatives in WHILAG do the same. Loose cannons and badly thought out plans reflect poorly on all of us and do nothing but set our efforts back. As I have said before, we must move forward with poise, professionalism and unity of purpose. This is also a time when we really need to start reaching out to other inspectors and bring them up to speed. Get me their name and e-mail and I will add them to this list.

Here’s some links from Hugh Kelso sent to me via Joanne: Thanks!!



You can tune in to TVW on the internet and listen to the audio of the Senate committee meetings at this URL: http://www.tvw.org/media/liveevnts.cfm

Or watch the live video, if they choose to show this committee, at this URL: http://www.tvw.org/media/index.cfm?CFID=7425044&CFTOKEN=93461254

Thanks!

Larry


Larry Stamp AD BS RREI
Cameo Home Inspection Services
Your 'Northwest Home' Inspection Specialist

Certified Inspector: ASHI, American Society of Home Inspectors
[IMG]cid:003501c75b62$a4b1d930$0200a8c0@motionlgfotwls[/IMG]Past President: AII, American Institute of Inspectors
Past President: WAPI, Washington Association of Property Inspectors
Washington Certified Real Estate Instructor
Chair: WDO Committee, WSPCA, Washington State Pest Control Association
cameohomeinspection@comcast.net
7205 A Martin Way East, PMB 74 Olympia, WA. 98516
360.459.1632

[Peter Doane]

My responce to Larry

Hi Larry,
I don't know what the word "biasless'" is or means but my guess is he (Nick) meant biases' and wants a bill that does not specify inspectors being pushed to join, follow a particular (one) association rules or SOP. A bill that is bias in its wording is what I would take this as. If you get a bill or governing body who decides to implement wording into law that says: "All home inspectors in the state of WA should inspect by the SOP of the ASHI standards", then I'm sure you can appreciate his point. Turn it around you would be equally offended if the bill stated: "All home inspectors in the state of WA should inspect to the SOP of NACHI, or NAHI"
We should be free to join what ever Assoc. we wanted to. After all that's the American way. Just my opinion though as I was not part of the conversation.

Peter Doane

[wforsyth]

I want to know why Nick would be pushing ANY bill whatsoever?

I'd rather here Nick's side of the story.

Nick?

[Peter Doane]

Originally Posted by wforsyth

I want to know why Nick would be pushing ANY bill whatsoever?

I'd rather here Nick's side of the story.

Nick?

I just sent a email to Nick to comment on this thread.

[James H. Bushart]

As an association, NACHI will oppose (whether its local members favor it, or not) any bill that has association bias, puts existing home inspectors out of work, or creates unreasonable hurdles for new inspectors wishing to enter the profession.

Nick will back you up in your fight for or against legislation, otherwise, if you can show him that the majority of NACHI members in your state oppose/favor it. Keep in mind that this is Lewis Capaul's NACHI, too, and if he represents the majority of the inspectors in your state...Nick will be slow to impose.

NACHI leaders must be invited to participate in local issues, so get on the phone and lobby for his support like you would your own legislature. Get him on your team and then watch him do his thing.

[wforsyth]

Well, if you read through the substitute bill it clearly creates a difficulty for new inspectors entering the field. I would think that alone would make him want to oppose it.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by wforsyth

Well, if you read through the substitute bill it clearly creates a difficulty for new inspectors entering the field. I would think that alone would make him want to oppose it.

Mentoring, like the PHIC requirement, has been known to be considered as an unreasonable hurdle. Requiring the NHIE or other association bias has triggered an automatic response.

I think the political trouble that the opposition to this bill may have within the association is how loud the proponents have been. Your "coalition" had a NACHI member on it who was communicating with Nick. Your other proponents have been loud and organized.

The opposition needs to organize, in my opinion. Presenting a united front to NACHI is the first step to convincing your legislature that they need to reconsider. In the absence of that, IMO, Capaul wins.

[wforsyth]

Have you sent out those materials yet James?

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by wforsyth

Have you sent out those materials yet James?

No. I got caught by surprise with a bill proposed in my own state. It has kept me pretty busy for the past 36 hours.

Step one....round up the opposition and count heads. Pick a spokesman. Call Nick.

Then begin to pound your legislature with the one argument that they cannot refute...No one has proven the need for a law.

The proponents for the bill will want you to argue the fine points of it and bog you down in details when the truth is...the whole thing is not necessary. Present the option to every member of your legislature to evaluate the NEED...not the law. Fight it on that front, first.

Good luck.

[wforsyth]

Sounds good. Send that stuff out when you get time.

[lcapaul]

Originally Posted by jbushart

No. I got caught by surprise with a bill proposed in my own state. It has kept me pretty busy for the past 36 hours.

Step one....round up the opposition and count heads. Pick a spokesman. Call Nick.

Then begin to pound your legislature with the one argument that they cannot refute...No one has proven the need for a law.

The proponents for the bill will want you to argue the fine points of it and bog you down in details when the truth is...the whole thing is not necessary. Present the option to every member of your legislature to evaluate the NEED...not the law. Fight it on that front, first.

Good luck.

The proponents for the bill will want you to argue the fine points of it and bog you down in details when the truth is...the whole thing is not necessary. Present the option to every member of your legislature to evaluate the NEED...not the law. Fight it on that front, first.

That's the only "fine point" that needs to be argued as far as the passage or the defeat of any Bill. Washington HI's have the right to fight the Bill's passage, they also have the right to fight for the Bill's passage.

If Washington NACHI members are anything like those who have been polled on this message board, then nearly three to one will be in favor of regulation, so there may be some effort there to convince them to try and defeat the Bill.

Myself, I'll take the Bill Public and rely on Public pressure to demonstrate the need for regulation to the legislators.

As an association, NACHI will oppose (whether its local members favor it, or not) any bill that has association bias, puts existing home inspectors out of work, or creates unreasonable hurdles for new inspectors wishing to enter the profession.

Nick will back you up in your fight for or against legislation, otherwise, if you can show him that the majority of NACHI members in your state oppose/favor it. Keep in mind that this is Lewis Capaul's NACHI, too, and if he represents the majority of the inspectors in your state...Nick will be slow to impose.

NACHI leaders must be invited to participate in local issues, so get on the phone and lobby for his support like you would your own legislature. Get him on your team and then watch him do his thing.

Thanks for that, I'll use the same argument, in fact I'll even use this as a Quote of a high ranking NACHI Official.

As far as putting any Inspector out of work, or creating unreasonable hurdles to those entering the profession. or association bias, the latest change in the Bill contains none of those.

Thanks for the quote, people will be interested in an Association that opposes a Bill whether or not the Washington members of the Association favor it. It will play well. In fact Rep. Hanson would probably appreciate it.

[wforsyth]

The Sunrise Committee states very clearly that legislation is not needed where a profession has organizations aimed at regulating itself. HI has plenty of those. It also states that if the profession has it's own SOP legislation is not needed and any regulation of the profession should go through the organizations already in place.

It shouldn't be hard to prove at all that legislation is not needed in Washington State.

[Nick Gromicko]

You can only count on NACHI for certain to get involved in state licensing issues when there is association bias. We would have to be shown good reason why an association bias-less Bill would be particularly bad for NACHI members before we would be willing to spend NACHI member's dues opposing it.

It is your state.

[James H. Bushart]

Fight the bill, Wendy. It is not a sure thing. Pull together all who oppose it. There are more than have posted on the subject.

[lcapaul]

Originally Posted by wforsyth

The Sunrise Committee states very clearly that legislation is not needed where a profession has organizations aimed at regulating itself. HI has plenty of those. It also states that if the profession has it's own SOP legislation is not needed and any regulation of the profession should go through the organizations already in place.

It shouldn't be hard to prove at all that legislation is not needed in Washington State.

First you would have to find an Association that has the authority to regulate, ASHI, NACHI, none of them have the right or the authority to regulate anyone other than there own members, a big portion of the HI's in Washington, if not the Majority are independents and belong to NO Association.

Want an example of how your argument doesn't work, look at the Realtors, they not only have a State Association with rules that govern themm but they have National Oragnizations that also "regulate" them, but guess what Windy, they are required to be licensed in the State of Washington, so will Home Inspectors.

If you oppose regulation that's fine, I've said before, everyone write their Senators and Representatives no matter which side you're on, that's everone's right, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You make your arguments, organize those who agree with you, and those who favor it should be able to do the same thing.

Remember though, its not just Home Inspectors who have a voice in this matter, so far the public has heard very little if anything about it, so far.

You'll find it hard outside the HI community to find support for any argument that HI Regulation is not needed, try mentioning the present Bill to a Realtor, their first words are "It's about time", or telling a Client that there is no regulation of HI's in Washington, most are very suprised and ask why not. The Bill is now almost far enough along to begin a letter to the editor campaign informing the Public of the pending Bill and providing them with links to the KIRO and the Vancouver reports and videos, and then there are steps to be taken later. By the way, very few of the public will argue about the "fine points" of the Bill, they will just want one passed, especially if given the right information at the right time. Things I learned while working on several Washington State Iniatives, including I-695