Washington 5788 public hearing

Public hearing in the house of representatives is scheduled for Tuesday March 27th at 1:30PM for SB5788.

Larry Stamp of Cameo Home Inspections will be taking the time to attend the hearing, and is requesting e-mails from fellow inspectors. I have provided a copy of his e-mail here:
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[FONT=Arial]Fellow Inspectors,[/FONT]
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**[FONT=Arial]**The House Committee on Commerce and Labor will have a public hearing on Tuesday March 27 at 1:30PM. (Subject to change) [/FONT]
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**[FONT=Arial]**I plan on attending, but I want to go prepared and so I am asking each of you to please reply to this e-mail and send me a simple message which says:[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]I DO NOT support SB 5788 as written, or I DO support SB 5788 as written. [/FONT]****[FONT=Arial](We can argue the points another time, first let’s stop this)[/FONT]
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**[FONT=Arial]**I will keep these confidential from other inspectors, but I would like to show up on Tuesday with a big stack of e-mails to put before the representatives. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]So…… I’ve got tons of paper, lots of ink in the printer and I’m waiting!!![/FONT]
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**[FONT=Arial]**Larry [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Larry Stamp AD BS RREI[/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Cameo Home Inspection Services [/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Your ‘Northwest Home’ Inspection Specialist[/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’] [/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Certified Inspector: ASHI, American Society of Home Inspectors [/FONT][FONT=‘Arial Narrow’][/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Past President: AII, American Institute of Inspectors[/FONT][FONT=‘Arial Narrow’][/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Past President: WAPI, Washington Association of Property Inspectors[/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Washington[/FONT]****[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’] Certified Real Estate Instructor
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[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Chair: WDO Committee, WSPCA, Washington State Pest Control Association[/FONT][FONT=‘Arial Narrow’][/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]cameohomeinspection@comcast.net [/FONT][FONT=‘Arial Narrow’][/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’] 7205 A Martin Way East, PMB 74 Olympia, WA. 98516
[/FONT][FONT=‘Arial Narrow’][/FONT]

[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’] 360.459.1632
[/FONT][FONT=‘Arial Narrow’][/FONT]

“I will keep these confidential from other inspectors”

While sending email to Mr. Stamp to help him present an argument, you might also be sending email to every member of your state’s House of Representatives.

Do not limit your correspondence to just your district rep. Let ALL the others who will be voting know of your view. Many of these people will not hear from anyone within their own district and will only hear the lobbyist’s side of the story. Let them ALL hear yours.

It is worth the time.

[FONT=Arial]Agreed James;[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Here is the House Committee member names below. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Fellow Inspectors:[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial] The committee members are as follows:
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[FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Steve Conway (Chair) [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Alex Wood (Vice Chair)[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Cary[/FONT]****[FONT=Arial] Condotta
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[FONT=Arial]Bruce Chandler[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Larry Crouse[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Jim Moeller[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Brendan Williams[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Their e-mails are easy. Type the last name, then a “period”, then the first name and then “@leg.wa.gov” for example: conway.steve@leg.wa.gov [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]The fax line is 360.786.7018[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]We need to send a letter to the chair and vice chair and fax it as well. I took the last letter, made corrections and addressed it to both the chair and vice chair. (One letter with both names addressed is OK). Again, use it if you like, change it, whatever. Just be sure to fill in the three areas noted with [/FONT][FONT=Arial]
. Check your legislative district and if one of your representatives is on this committee, be sure to send them a letter![/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]If you still don’t know who your representatives are, (remember to contact both of them!! ) go to: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House](http://www.leg.wa.gov/House)[/FONT][FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]If you still haven’t looked at the latest edition of the bill, go to:[/FONT] [FONT=Arial]http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2007-08/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5788-S.E.pdf [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial]Larry[/FONT][FONT=Arial] [/FONT]
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**[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Larry Stamp[/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]
AD BS RREI
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**[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]**Cameo Home Inspection Services [/FONT]
[FONT=‘Arial Narrow’]Your ‘Northwest Home’ Inspection Specialist[/FONT]

This is Larrys’ version of the letter, and again use it if you like it, or change it to better represent your opinion.

To: The Honorable Representatives Steve Conway and Alex Wood
From: **
RE: Engrossed Senate Bill 5788 Licensing of Home Inspectors
Date: **
I am writing you as I understand you are the chair and vice chair of the Labor and Commerce Committee and you will be reviewing the aforementioned bill. Please accept my thanks in advance for taking the time to read my comments.
About a year and a half ago, Senators Kohl-Welles and Spanel introduced Senate Bill 6229 regarding the licensing of home inspectors. While it caught many inspectors off guard, it was a good thing in that it prompted the development of a home inspector’s coalition, something many had been trying to develop for years. That coalition came to be called the Washington Home Inspectors Legislative Advisory Group, WHILAG, and it embodies inspectors who belong to all the national home inspector associations as well as independents. In the end, Senate Bill 6229 died, but WHILAG proceeded on, working to develop a bill which would represent the interests of both the consumer and inspector.

Last year was almost history when KIRO TV aired a piece about a couple who reportedly lost their home because of issues with rot and a failed septic system which were not detected during their home inspection. It was an emotional and sensational news piece in which Senator Kohl-Welles, orginal founder of SB 6229 was also interviewed. About a month after that piece aired, Senate Bill 5788 regarding the licensing of home inspectors was introduced, sponsored by Senators Spanel, Brandland and Kohl Wells. WHILAG immediately tried to become involved, but the Senators showed little to no interest in working with WHILAG to put together a cogent, well thought out bill. From there, the speed at which the bill was pushed forward has effectively left home inspectors out of the loop. From public hearings, to the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce and Research & Development, our watchdogs have only been able to provide one or two days notice to rally home inspectors across the State. For example, the Senate’s public hearing scheduled for a Monday was not announced until the Friday before, too little and too late for many who would have liked to attend.

In a statewide letter writing campaign in concert with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) we have all asked the senators the same question: Why the undue haste in cobbling together a bill? Why are you not working with WHILAG? On March 12th, the bill passed the Senate floor after Senator Spanel informed the senate that all stakeholder’s concerns had been addressed.

In 2008, my yearly license fees will jump from $60.00 to $600.00 and $500.00 per year thereafter. That will reflect in increased fees passed on to consumers, fees which at this point, will not provide them increased protection unless the bill is reworked.As one of these stakeholders, my concerns have not been addressed and this bill has been rushed through the Senate with unnecessary haste and lack of proper review or consideration by the professionals whose lives it will impact. Some of my specific concerns and comments are as follows:

  1. E**liminate dual licensing as a home inspector and a pest inspector. Home Inspectors should be able to perform their inspection and look for conducive conditions and damage without having to hold both licenses. **
  2. R**equire a nationally-recognized psychometrically-evaluated examination along with a specific Washington state test module. There are established testing criteria that must be met to make the examination legally defensible to protect the state and the profession. **
  3. C**hange the composition of the home inspector board to eliminate potential conflicts of interest which may come about by having a real estate broker and an educator on the board. **
  4. A**dd exemptions of other licensed professions and trades when acting within the scope of their own license. The law should be clear that other licensed professionals can look at or inspect specific aspects of a home without having to be licensed. **
  5. A**dd back in the enforceability sections of the original bill which were removed for unknown reasons. **
    With all due respect, this has been a very frustrating process. I would support a reasonable bill, but I remain confused as to why there has been so little attempt to proactively consult with the professionals in the field whose lives this will impact instead of forcing them into a defensive position. As I am sharing this letter with other inspectors, I hope you will receive many more letters similar to this from other inspectors of similar thinking.
    My thanks to you again.
    Sincerely,

[FONT=Arial]Great Job! Thank’s to you who have sent your comments in. I even have some from out of state. I am impressed.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]But don’t stop now! We only have a few days left.[/FONT]

**[FONT=Arial]**I still have **lots **of paper and lots of ink, so keep those comments coming! [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Larry[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial Narrow]Larry Stamp AD BS RREI[/FONT]
**[FONT=Arial Narrow]**Cameo Home Inspection Services [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]Your ‘Northwest Home’ Inspection Specialist[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial Narrow]Certified Inspector: ASHI, American Society of Home Inspectors [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]Past President: AII, American Institute of Inspectors[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]Past President: WAPI, Washington Association of Property Inspectors[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]Washington[/FONT]****[FONT=Arial Narrow] Certified Real Estate Instructor
[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial Narrow]Chair: WDO Committee, WSPCA, Washington State Pest Control Association[/FONT]
**[FONT=Arial Narrow]**cameohomeinspection@comcast.net [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]7205 A Martin Way East, PMB 74 Olympia, WA. 98516[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]360.459.1632[/FONT]

I think it is VERY interesting that Larry supports allowing the home inspector to inspect for WDO’s as a part of his/her job without holding both licenses. Especially since he chairs/ed the WDO committee of the Washington State Pest Control Association.

I sent my letter to him. Let’s keep up the good work!

Wendy,

That’s because the current control is pretty strange.

Good point Joe.

While I don’t exactly know what Larry is thinking. I think the strategy is to kill the bill completely. …My opinion.

For instance I will use James Bushart as an example, don’t worry I will be nice.

James is clearly against licensing, and the way he has campaigned against it is to attack the bills absence of consumer protection. He has stated that the consumer would be protected by legislation that prevented realtors from making home inspector referalls.

That said I don’t believe James wants any HI licensing, even if it had provisions that limited the realtor referalls.

I think the strategy to argue the details is probably more effective at killing a bill, than just arguing that licensing solves nothing. At least that is my take on it as I have followed James fight against licensing in Missouri. Who knows, I might be learning something?

That is the only effective strategy left.

As for what you are following about the series of events unfolding in Missouri, it would be prudent for you to understand that what you read on the message board reflects only that which is designed for public consumption.

As a courtesy, knowing that you are also fighting against a bad bill, I am compelled to confess that not all that you read on the message board is true and only about 20% of the activity is actually being posted.

If you think I can be of assistance to you in fighting legislation, I’d be happy to communicate with you off of the board.

I personally believe that it is the best strategy, the licensing zealots are seeking reasonable dialog from their opposition, playing into that straw man argument only provides them a viable platform from which they can launch an reasonable offensive.

It is better to deny the licensing Nazis any opportunity to articulate their position, who really cares what they think anyway? Realize, those who oppose legislation have a built-in unfair advantage over those who favor it; the simple fact is more bills fail to become law then get signed, there is a natural bias against.

Furthermore, many things have to come together and line up in a two-party political system for a bill to pass into law and many times all that is required for a bill to fail is the perception of disharmony across the voting public.

Those who wish for a bill to become law must overcome two natural laws or tendencies, the first is inertia the second is entropy these forces help to prevent forward progress or hasten the breakdown of systems. It appears that the best way to fight licensing is to first deny the proponents a platform, then do whatever can be done to destabilize the process by which a license can be reasonably assured to pass into law. Thankfully chaos works very well to help destabilize systems and it does not take much to cause systems to grind to a halt.

Licensing solves nothing, chaos rules!

Good post, Joe.

In regards to all those who work hard to promote licensing there appears to be a set of similar tendencies the licensing Nazis all have in common, a poker player would call them tells. once known and understood they could easily be used against them to help destabilize their efforts.

The licensing proponants are all imbued with righteousness indignation, believing that their stand is the proverbial high road and they are somehow benefiting society and fostering the greater good, something akin to being a crusader. To their detriment and demise it is totally beyond their puny scope of existence to even consider the notion that their efforts are in direct opposition the the freedoms and principals our country was founded on.

When defeat comes to a group like this who believe they have god on their side and their fight is noble they become devastated and disillusioned, it is at the exact precipice of defeat that we who oppose the socialization of our profession can do the most good by making it as painful as possible. Follow Frank Carrio’s lead in New Hampshire and make sure you kick them when they are down. How many of the licensing Nazis who poured their heart & soul into getting licensing passed in New Hampshire will be back next year to once again possibly get their teeth kicked in? Not many, that group will be forced to reinvest and regroup just to fight the very same uphill battle once again with new untested troops, the natural bias against getting legislation passed will once again have to be overcome.

Another weakness all licensing proponents display is the propensity to believe their own rhetoric and propaganda which makes them very vulnerable to outbursts of anger when you screw with one of the tenets of their belief system. Follow Jim Bushart’s lead and learn to use their unfounded beliefs and expose their backroom corrupt insiders group to the light of the press.

Remember it takes hundreds of man hours to diligently craft a licensing bill and then it takes thousands of dollars to see that bill through the legislative process but it only takes one dedicated freedom fighter to piss in their Cheerios and spoil all that hard work and effort sending them back to the drawing board next year.

Licensing solves nothing, chaos rules!

Joe B,

You are the poet laureate of clear-thinking anti-licensing positions.

Amazing.

Since you were kind enough to read my Sunday morning sermon, here is the hymn of the day. :smiley:

Oh Joe! You just got me all misty-eyed! sniff

I’m coming Mooooooooooooontaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!

[FONT=Arial]Latest email from Larry Stamp requesting your support;[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Hello![/FONT]

**[FONT=Arial]**Tomorrow is the big day. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Thanks to all of you who sent me feedback. If I had just 45 more people write back to me today, I could walk in tomorrow and let the representatives know I had over 100 responses! Personally, I think triple digits will really get their attention. So let me know:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]I do not support SB 5788 as written of I do support SB 5788 as written.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]AND…[/FONT]****[FONT=Arial] Take a minute and make a phone call to a fellow inspector and have them e-mail me if they haven’t yet. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Thanks!![/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Larry[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial Narrow]Larry Stamp AD BS RREI[/FONT]
**[FONT=Arial Narrow]**Cameo Home Inspection Services [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]Your ‘Northwest Home’ Inspection Specialist[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial Narrow]Past President: AII, American Institute of Inspectors[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]Past President: WAPI, Washington Association of Property Inspectors[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]Washington[/FONT]****[FONT=Arial Narrow] Certified Real Estate Instructor**[/FONT]**
[FONT=Arial Narrow]Chair: WDO Committee, WSPCA, Washington State Pest Control Association[/FONT]
**[FONT=Arial Narrow]**cameohomeinspection@comcast.net [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]7205 A Martin Way East, PMB 74 Olympia, WA. 98516[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Narrow]360.459.1632[/FONT]

**I do not support SB 5788 as written **


I find that this bill is poorly written, and does not protect the public.


** I find that this bill going to cripple the demand for future Home Inspectors with it’s mentoring requirements as written. **


**Section 13: A home Inspector can not be licensed as a corporation or limited liability company, the organization of a business should be left to the businesses attorney and accountant to decide how it is formed. NO BUSINESS SHOULD BE DICTATED HOW IT IS ORGANIZED BY ANY LEGISLATORS. **


The licensing requirements for WDO’s should be lifted, for the fact that if an inspector does find (Say Termites) under our current SPI regulations we as an inspector could not discuss the cost or treatment to cure the termites because we would have to have a CPO license to do so, this means that we still have to refer it to a CPO which in turn is going to re charge the client for his inspection before he can determine a treatment . This in my opinion is double dipping the client and this practice should be stopped.


The board member section should be changed. there are too many special interest groups on the board. example ( educators that tech classes) are only there to create additional ways to pad there pockets by creating more class requirements that they get paid for.


This is a very poorly written bill that although it is intended to protect the consumer does just the opposite. It will cost the consumer double the current price for an inspection because it limits competion to join the ranks, and will also cost the inspectors expenses to double which will in return be passed on to the consumer who is already having a hard time of being able to reach the “American Dream” of Owning There Own Home.


If you truly want to help the consumer, than rethink this bill.


Sincerely,


Ted Roberts
Central Washington Home Inspections
1407 S. 4th Avenue
Yakima, washington 98902
(509) 965-3480

Ted
Did you e-mail that to Larry Stamp? His address is cameohomeinspection@comcast.net

BTW Good points, and I agree with most.

If you have not already, you should also e-mail your legislators in the house of representatives, and the house committee members. See previous posts for links.