IAQA - White Paper Archives

IAQA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE- August

Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/584715

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 1 of 2

Texas: IAQA members banded together in the spring of 2015 to force withdrawal of bills that would have initiated deregulation of the Texas mold licensing programs for remediation and assessment. o With the support of IAQA Government Affairs, IAQA members created an independent website and advocacy group – savetmarr.org. In remarkable coordination with other associations devoted to respiratory health and indoor environmental quality, a coalition opposed to deregulation in lieu of reform, succeeded in persuading the bill sponsors to withdraw the deregulation legislation. o IAQA members Mike McNatt and Mike Bowdoin have been IAQA's special advisors on this project. Florida: similar to Texas, in the past year there was a state-driven initiative to drastically alter the responsibilities of assessors and remediators when it comes to mold remediation. Colleagues in IAQA like John Lapotaire stepped up and let government affairs know that regulatory changes were in play that needed our attention as an organization. With the help of ASHRAE Government Affairs, IAQA's Government Affairs Committee solicited consensus in record time and were thus enabled to take an advocacy position that contributed to the withdrawal of proposed reforms in Florida which would have harmed the livelihood of our members. New Hampshire: like Texas, this is a great example of the results a grassroots effort coordinated by IAQA members can accomplish. By the time IAQA Government Affairs became involved, the NH Mold Coalition had successfully navigated legislation through both legislative houses and to Governor Hassan for signature. Notably, this occurred with the invaluable collaboration of the regional representatives of the American Lung Association. Now legislation for mold assessment licensing (note that remediators are not required to be licensed) will go to the NH Department of Justice's board of licensing and certification for rulemaking. IAQA Government Affairs will be making strident efforts to join in the regulatory process as events develop. IAQA member and Chapter Director for IAQA NH Guy Sylvester is to be commended for his work that led to this outcome, as well as Government Affairs member Scott Herzog. Capital Region: IAQA Government Affairs has benefited from the dedicated efforts of Rob Mullen and Todd Stevens to assess and obtain input into the varied regulatory situations in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. o DC: the city council passed an aggressive agenda concerning indoor air quality standards. Perhaps needing assistance, IAQA is volunteering to provide DC with assistance. DC received authorization to move forward from the U.S. House in September.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of IAQA - White Paper Archives - IAQA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE- August