Gotta tell you…the BS was flying as if someone fed Ex-Lax to every bull in the cattle truck. Democracy at its finest.
The bill’s author, Mike Parson ® of Bolivar, greeted each and every one of his 20 supporters (12 RE salesmen, 1 lobbyist, and 7 home inspectors). The six of us who showed up to oppose the bill sat quietly among them as they exchanged handshakes, best wishes and winks.
With the rap of the gavel, the games began.
Parson informed the committee that he had revised his bill and has gone from a five member to 7 member board and raised the criteria for board membership. He also said he raised the criteria for eligibility to mentor apprentices to which the ASHI presidents smiled and exchanged knowing glances.
Then, with an alloted 35 minutes to speak in favor of his bill…30 minutes were taken by three real estate salesmen and their lobbyist. Their mantra was that home inspectors needed to be held accountable for their mistakes.
When questioned, neither the lobbyist or any of the salesmen could say how many “mistakes” they were talking about over any given period of time. They just knew that there were “mistakes” and that licensing would solve that problem.
Five of the remaining ASHI members were given one minute each.
Of special note was the St. Louis Chapter ASHI President, Harry Morrell, who just this Tuesday lamented to his members that none of their recommended wording was added to change the bill----yet he gave his highest endorsement and support for this much needed legislation. He sat alone…while the members of his association remained in St. Louis probably oblivious to the fact that they were being misrepresented as being in support of HB 2057.
Then, the opponents of the bill spoke.
Mark Adams, president of MAREI, went first and provided the legislators with data from the study done by the OHIO Real Estatate Commission that showed how licensing failed to increase the level of competency in home inspectors in any state adopting it.
He elaborated on the way the bill would put many part time inspectors out of business (which an earlier ASHI president explained was necessary for “anyone doing only 50 inspections per year cannot be qualified” according to him) and a representative on the committee interrupted him.
“I don’t see why home inspectors are objecting,” he said. “This bill, as I read it, is voluntary. If you want a license, you do what it takes to be licensed and if you do not want to be licensed…like the rural inspectors who do much fewer inspections than the city inspectors…you don’t have to be.”
Rep Parson jumped from his seat and ran to the back of the room to discuss something with a person in the back while another representative (Mr. Dougherty, who opposes HI licensing) put him on the spot…“What is it, Mr. Parson? Is your bill voluntary licensing or does it put people out of business?”
After about a five minute discussion, Parson slinked back to his seat and said “I may need to put more clear language in it, but as it is intended, it is not voluntary.”
“I see. Then your bill would put these rural inspectors out of business and favor the city inspectors who would drive out…for an even higher fee…and perform this service in their place. Thank you, sir.” laughed Rep. Dougherty.
About four more had the opportunity to speak, including myself, when Rep Wilson came in to present his alternative to HB 2057 (which the ASHI Presidentes loudly protested from their seats) which is a registration bill that provides none of the conflicts of interests or controversies presented in Parson’s bill.
The session ended. James Braun and I went to grab a quick bite to eat and both felt that those who came today expecting a “slam dunk” approval for a home inspection licensing bill left quite disappointed.
While there is a possibility of a few “behind the scenes” shennanigans where this bill could be attached to one more popular and pushed through the back door to the Senate…it seems unlikely that we will be seeing anything in Missouri this year.
Still, we remain on guard and ready to fight the bill just as hard in the Senate if we have to.
There is a lot of money and greed behind it and greedy people with money (and more money at stake) should not be underestimated.