June 2008
LAST YEAR A NEW LAW WAS PROPOSED THAT WOULD REQUIRE ANYONE WORKING AS A CONSTRUCITON “CONSULTANT” TO OBTAIN THE CALIFORNIA B-1 (GENERAL CONTRACTOR) LICENSE.
THE SOCAL BOARD WAS ADVISED BY DIRECTOR RON JOHNSTON, THAT A CALIF SENATOR WAS MOVING A LAW TO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF A GENERAL CONTRACTOR TO INCLUDE THE WORD “CONSULTANT”.
THAT COULD REQUIRE ALL OF US ROOFING AND/OR WATERPROOFING CONSULTANTS TO BECOME CONTRACTORS. THE NEW WORDING INCLUDED “ANYONE WHO SOLICITS FOR BIDS OR CONSULTS THE OWNER”. OUR OPINION IS IT WOULD INCLUDE A PURCHASING AGENT OR PROPERTY MANAGER BUT ESPECIALLLY ROOF CONSULTANTS.
ENACTMENT OF THIS LAW WOULD HAVE EFFECTIVELY CLOSED MANY OF THE ROOFING AND WATERPROOFING CONSULTANTS IN THE STATE.
IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT LAW TRENDS THAT START IN CALIFORNIA SEEM TO TURN UP IN OTHER STATES LATER. THIS PROBLEM COULD BE COMING TO YOUR STATE IF IT BECOMES LAW IN CA.
THIS IS NOT JUST A CALIFORNIA PROBLEM; IT MAY BE COMING TO YOU!!
RECOGNIZING THIS AS A POTENTIAL MAJOR PROBLEM FOR OUR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS, THE SO CAL BOARD TOOK QUICK ACTION TOWARD CHANGING THE PROPOSED LAW.
CHAPTER LEADERS CONTACTED THE SPONSOR (SEN. MARGETT) AND OBTAINED A PHONE CONFERENCE TO REQUEST ELIMINATION OF THE WORD CONSULTANT FROM THIS NEW DEFINITION OF A GENERAL CONTRACTOR.
QUICK ACTION BY THE SOCAL BOARD, WITH THE COOPERATION OF PAT DOWNEY AND JIM BIRDSONG, PUT THIS PROPOSED LAW CHANGE ON HOLD AND RE-CONSIDERATION FOR UP TO TWO YEARS, TIME FOR US TO MAKE OUR IMPACT ON THIS BAD LAW.
THIS LAW IS NOT OFFICIALLY DEAD AND IS LIKELY TO RE-APPEAR IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER. THERE ARE CERTAIN CONTRACTORS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANYONE COUNSELING AN OWNER IF IT COULD AFFECT THEIR BUSINESS.
THE CHAPTER HAS TAKEN THE OFFENSIVE AND HIRED A LOBBYIST TO REPRESENT OUR POSITION IN SACRAMENTO. HE IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED AND WELL KNOWN THERE. SKIP DAUM REPRESENTS SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS WE ARE AWARE OF AND RECEOMMENDED BY THEM.
MEANWHILE, THE SOCAL BOARD HAS BEEN IN DISCUSSION WITH OUR CONTRACTOR BUSINESS PARTNERS REGARDING SOME TYPE OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSING OR REGULATION FOR ROOF CONSULTANTS. WE HAVE FOUND A PLAN DEVELOPED BY ASLA (LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS) THAT SEEMS A GOOD MODEL FOR PROFESSIONAL ROOF CONSULTANTS.
WE WILL BE PERSUING THIS AS A POSSIBLE ALTERNATE TO THE STATE.
OF COURSE LOBBYIST COSTS ARE SUBSTANTIAL AND A HEAVY BURDEN FOR A SINGLE CHAPTER. THE SOCAL CHAPTER IS SEEKING DONATIONS TO HELP DEFRAY THE COSTS TO DEFEAT SB355 AND OTHER SUCH BAD LAW.
DONATIONS FROM ANY AND ALL SOURCES ARE APPRECIATED: INDIVIDUALS, COMPANYS, INDUSTRY, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. DONATIONS OF ANY SIZE ARE APPRECIATED ALSO. SEVERAL SOCAL MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY SENT DONATIONS TO THE “DEFENSE FUND”.
SEND CHECKS TO THE CHAPTER OFFICE (ADDRESS BELOW) PLEASE.
ALL DONATIONS WILL BE USED FOR LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE ONLY. THE TIME TO SUPPORT RCI IS NOW, NOT AFTER A NEW LAW IS IN PLACE!!
THE SOCAL CHAPTER WELCOMES YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS, ESPECIALLY FROM ALL CALIFORNIA RCI MEMBERS.
PLEASE CONTACT US VIA EMAIL AT THE CHAPTER OFFICES; ATTENTION: CARL BROWN, CHAPTER ADVISOR 2008.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO GET LAW THAT IS BEST FOR RCI, NOT OTHERS.
CARL BROWN, RRO
CHAPTER ADVISOR 2008
