03/22/2016
Because competition from unlicensed "contractors" is not enough.
Air Conditioning Contractors
Professional Alliance
Important update!
As a result of the determined efforts of our Florida-ACCPA lobbyist and members contacting the Governor's office, the signing of HB535 has been delayed until Friday, March 25th.
Reports have been published that HB535 passed. This bill did pass last week, but it means nothing until it is signed by Governor Scott -- the Governor's signature is what is required for it to become law.
The Governor's office is now aware that there are valid concerns for taking a much closer look at HB535 before signing.
We once again ask for your
help to STOP HB535
from being signed into law!
Please contact Governor Rick Scott's office before Friday, March 25th to let him know HB535 is bad for Florida!
Governor Scott's phone # (850) 488-7146
Click to send an e-mail:
http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/
By taking just a few minutes to call or e-mail the Governor's office, YOU can make a difference!
HB535 is not only a major concern for the safety and well-being of all apartment residents throughout the state, it is also bad for Florida's licensed HVAC contractors.
Help protect your industry -- and the business you have worked so hard to build!
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Listed below are a few of the many reasons HB535 should NOT be signed into law.
You are encouraged to use any or all of these items to include when you contact the Governor.
Approval of this bill would be putting the safety and welfare at risk of hundreds of thousands of Florida's apartment residents.
The Florida Home Builders Association has sold out the licensed subcontractors in an attempt to get this bill passed! This sell out could easily cause harm or death to those in apartments served by these new "licensed" handymen.
Not only are there increased safety risks for all building occupants -- the unskilled workers are at risk as well.
As licensed Air Conditioning professionals, we have seen the results of handymen working in the Trades, and witnessed first-hand the dangerous things they do because they are not properly trained -- glorified "Apartment" handymen will be no different.
Air Conditioning systems are more complicated today, along with operating pressures of the refrigerant being double what they were a few years back -- requires ongoing training for the safety of the public and those working on the systems.
This bill will cause the unnecessary creation of a new license for a lesser skill level that is a replication of current contractor licensing requirements.
Major potential environmental risk/concerns due to handymen handling refrigerant without proper training.
Giving a "certification" to low-paid apartment handymen will certainly lead to them feeling qualified to work without a contractors license.
Creates an easy path for increased unlicensed activity in both residential and commercial sectors -- and encourages many new avenues for unlicensed activity (such as with condominium complexes).
Potential for increased industry workers comp claims, which could affect premium rates for every contractor in the state.
ISSUE: The Florida Apartment Association (FAA) is aggressively promoting the passage of a Bill that would enable apartment maintenance staff to perform work that currently must be performed by licensed contractors.
We strongly believe this "apartment exemption" Bill is not in the interest of public safety or employee safety, and would provide a means for the apartment industry to effectively bypass the stringent requirements by which licensed contractors must abide.
Further, we see this as a potential gateway that could likely enable the future passage of similar exemptions for other commercial property (such as commercial office buildings, condominiums, malls, etc.).
If this "apartment exemption" Bill passes, apartment maintenance personnel would be able perform "minor" HVAC, plumbing and electrical work -- which at present time can only be performed by licensed contractors.
The Florida Apartment Association claims that maintenance personnel are "well trained", since they must earn a certificate as a Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician issued by -- guess who -- the National Apartment Association.
Florida Air Conditioning Contractors Professional Alliance
www.florida-accpa.org | [email protected] | (813) 210-4949
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