I received this email and thought it might interest some. You can see what $25,000 dollars to a lobbyist can get. This guy isn’t even in or from Florida.
IAQ Professionals
I have been keeping a close watch on the recent House and Senate Bills attempting to repeal the current mold licensing law. I have spoken with Rep. Workman’s office, Senator Normans office, and left several messages with Rep. Grants office.
I have managed to gather the following information;
What we know.
Currently we know that the Lobbyist, Sen. John Grant of Florida Capitol Advocates, was hired by the founder of the franchise “Got Mold” http://www.myceliumholdings.com/](http://www.myceliumholdings.com/) Jason Earle. Jason Earle has also written The Green Book, which he hopes to establish as recognized protocols to the State and he has a training school in Tampa. http://www.1800gotmold.com/about_us/meet_the_founder.php
The Lobbyist, Sen. John Grant of Florida Capitol Advocates, drafted the bill and presented it to Representative James W Grant, District 47 who introduced the bill as HB 4171 February 16th.
February 21st, Senator Norman filed the sister bill in the Senate SB 2214.
HB 4171 made it through the first House Sub Committee with a vote of 12 to 3.
Jason Earle is interested in repealing the law so that he can sell more franchises to those who can afford his franchise fee. Licensed Mold Assessors don’t have the cash to buy into his franchise at a fee of approx 75k. His target franchisee is a lucrative and successful businessman looking for a new opportunity.
The State requiring a license and experience discourages possible franchisee’s from making the purchase. So Jason Earle made a move to repeal the law by hiring Florida Capitol Advocates.
This information was a result of a lengthy conversation I had with Jason.
Seizing the opportunity the Contractors Institute http://www.contractorsinstitute.com/](http://www.contractorsinstitute.com/) led by R. J. Koning, proposed the following language.
Attention: Teddi Creamer, Policy Chief
Dear Committee Members,
Please see the enclosed draft of language pertaining to HB 4171 regarding the repeal of mold related services legislation. On behalf of the Contractors institute, Members of MyFloridaCode.com](http://myfloridacode.com/) discussion forum, members of the Association of Construction Industry Certified Professionals, we would like to submit an alternative to the current bill, which results in complete repeal. We feel that with this language amending F.S. 468, would allow the existing regulation to stand and eliminate any and all objections or opposition to the law regarding difficulties obtaining licensure insufficient numbers to protect the public and maintain a competitive marketplace.
Contractors InstituteSubsection (3) of Section 468.8414, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection © is added that section to read:
© Holds a Division 1 Contractors License pursuant to Florida Statute 489.105(3) and has obtained 15 classroom hours of Department approved specialized training for licensure as a Mold Remediator or 15 classroom hours of Department approved specialized training for licensure as a Mold Assessor.
Subsection (1) of Section 468.8421, Florida Statutes, is deleted in its entirety:
(1) A mold assessor shall maintain general liability and errors and omissions for both preliminary and postremediation mold assessment insurance coverage of at least $1 million.
Additional yet unsupported issues.
Jason Earle’s franchise Got Mold also markets the **Got Mold? Test Kit http://www.gotmoldtestkit.com/](http://www.gotmoldtestkit.com/) **
The issue with Jason Earls **Got Mold? Test Kit **is that he reportedly provides the “Positive” results to mold remediation Franchisees. The results are provided for a franchise fee.
If this proves to be a fact then Jason is playing smoke and mirrors with the above position for repealing the law. If Jason Earle is in fact receiving any compensation for the referral of positive test results from his **Got Mold? Test Kit then Jason is in violation of the current law and stands to be prosecuted and lose a lot of money when it’s discovered that he is in fact in violation of section 468.8419 Prohibitions; penalties.—.
Accept any compensation, inducement, or reward from a mold remediator or mold remediator’s company for the referral of any business to the mold remediator or the mold remediator’s company.
Offer any compensation, inducement, or reward to a mold remediator or mold remediator’s company for the referral of any business from the mold remediator or the mold remediator’s company.
If this proves to be true Jason Earle has until July 1, 2011 to successfully repeal the law or be in violation of section 468.8419 Prohibitions; penalties.—.
Any person who violates any provision of this section commits:
(a) A misdemeanor of the second degree for a first violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.082.html) or s. 775.083.
(b) A misdemeanor of the first degree for a second violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.082.html) or s. 775.083.
© A felony of the third degree for a third or subsequent violation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.082.html), s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
I do believe that further investigation is necessary to definitively determine whether or not Jason is receiving compensation from his remediation franchisees for the referral of remediation work.
An email, letter, or phone call to your District Rep. or Sen. Regarding the proposed repeal is strongly encouraged. Spread the word.
The information is based on a lengthy conversation with Jason Earle and the actual documents filed by R. J. Koning, Rep. Grant, and Sen. Norman.
Recent post regarding the current proposed legislation.
The Push to Repeal the Florida Mold Licensing Law](http://jlapotaire.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/the-push-to-repeal-the-florida-mold-licensing-law/)
Licensing and Regulating the Florida Mold Industry](http://jlapotaire.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/licensing-and-regulating-the-florida-mold-industry/)
Florida Mold Licensing Law Update](http://jlapotaire.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/florida-mold-licensing-law-update/)
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC