California license board spared—for now

Pool & Spa News, March 28, 2005 by Rebecca Robledo

California Gov. Arnold Schwarnegger has withdrawn a plan to eliminate approximately 25 state boards and commissions, including construction-related agencies such as the Contractors State License Board and Building Standards Commission.

But these agencies aren't necessarily in the clear. California Assembly member Mimi Waiters, a Republican, just introduced a bill that would do essentially the same thing--namely, abolish CSLB and put its duties under the auspices of the Department of Consumer Affairs.

In January, Schwarzenegger introduced the plan to dissolve diverse boards such as the CSLB, the Board of Registered Nursing and the Student Aid Commission.

It was one of his first proposals for reorganizing the state government, presented as a way of "removing unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and improving constituent accessibility."

Based on testimony heard by an independent agency, the governor decided that the proposal needed further review. While Schwarzenegger has stated his ongoing commitment, some believe the plan will fall to the wayside in favor of other reforms.

Several industry organizations, such as California pool-industry lobbyist SPEC and the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, made statements against the plan.

It would have left the same personnel to monitor scores of industries, said Don Burns, president/CEO of SPEC. "One day an investigator might work on a complaint by a pool customer, and the next he's working on a complaint against a physician," he added. "There would be no one with expertise [in a specific field]."

In the past four years, SPEC has worked closely with the CSLB, lobbying for better training for inspectors and expert witnesses.

The industry also cooperates with CSLB to help nab unlicensed contractors. "With all the abuses in California, the last thing we'd need is more renegade contractors running around," said Jeff Fausett, president/CEO of Aquatech Society.

Each month, CSLB performs approximately four sting operations statewide, with 15 to 20 illegal operators in various fields being caught, according to CSLB investigator Stuart Rind. Last summer, a sting dedicated to the pool and spa industry resulted in legal action against 13 companies.

"Two years ago, we'd go into a D.A.'s office and they'd say, 'We're not going to have any time to look at this for a long time,'" Burns said. "Now CSLB does it."