Newsline
Volume IV, Issue 5 - February 14, 2003
The Carpet and Rug Institute news for
industry executives
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Special Edition - Activities in the States
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CRI Governmental Issues Team Shift in Staff Responsibilities
Effective January 1, 2003, the Governmental Issues Department has undergone
some changes. The Governmental Issues Department consists of Frank Hurd, John
Miller, Jennifer Mendez, Charlott Coker and Linda Harrington. John Miller is
responsible for tracking legislation in the states of Florida, Georgia and Texas,
and also serves as Legal Counsel for The Carpet and Rug Institute. Charlott
Coker is responsible for eleven of the Southeastern States and also serves as
Director of Sustainability. Jennifer Mendez is the major leader for tracking
legislation in all other states as well as the communications in the Washington,
DC area. Linda Harrington is the Senior Administrative Assistant for the Governmental
Issues Department. “These changes definitely increase our coverage of any
proposed legislative bills that could possibly be detrimental to the carpet
industry,” states Frank Hurd, Director of Governmental Issues.
Pending Legislation in the States
As the state legislatures return to session in full force, there is much new
legislation being introduced. Many of the bills offer CRI an opportunity to
get involved in a proactive manner, rather than a reactive manner, which was
the case with several bills introduced last year. Several states have introduced
legislation regarding school facilities management, others have legislation
pending relative to indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools, and others have bills
relating to establishment of task forces to study mold. Following is a list
of states and the legislation we are monitoring as well as opportunities we
are currently pursuing or plan to pursue. For questions regarding pending legislation,
contact Jennifer Mendez at 703.875.0634.
ARIZONA - House Bill 2012. Establishes a building renewal fund for the school
facilities board to administer with the purpose of maintaining the adequacy
of existing school facilities. CRI is currently monitoring and investigating
prognosis for passage.
CALIFORNIA – Assembly Concurrent Resolution 21 deals with sanitary conditions
in public schools. This resolution concentrates mainly on restroom facilities
but we are monitoring to ensure there are no changes that will affect our industry
in any way.
CONNECTICUT – Senate Bills 173, 174, 732 and House Bills 5148, 5740. All
the bills regard Indoor Air Quality in Schools. House Bill 5638 is an act concerning
the presence of mold in public schools. These bills offer CRI an opportunity,
and we are currently in the process of scheduling meetings with the sponsors
of these pieces of legislation in order to provide input.
GEORGIA -
Senate Bill 133. Civil Justice Reform. This Bill is one of the most important
legislative efforts ever undertaken by the General Assembly. The Bill seeks
to reform the civil justice system in Georgia by addressing ten specific points
including a cap of $250,000 on non economic damages in medical malpractice cases.
The Bill will help to encourage economic development in the State and lower
the barrier of unaffordable insurance for employers and employees.
Senate Bill 50. This Bill would allow insurers to offer an optional health insurance
policy to groups or individuals that will provide policy benefits which are
less than those currently mandated by the State.
House Bill 189. The Bill, put together jointly by CRI and GTMA, permanently
establishes the rate for carpet samples sales tax at 21.9% of raw material cost
for residential carpet and 1% of those costs for commercial carpet.
Senate Resolution 22. This would create a 12 member Joint Mold Standards Study
Committee to investigate the origins and effects of mold on the life quality
of Georgia citizens.
House Bill 237. This Bill addresses the use of the State's water resources
including ground water use and seeks to establish a state-wide water management
plan.
HAWAII – House Bill 281 and 493. Both bills regard school facilities repair
and maintenance. House Bill 493 also addresses construction of new schools.
CRI is currently monitoring and investigating prognosis for passage.
ILLINOIS – House Joint Resolution 12. This resolution creates a joint
task fore on mold in indoor environments for the purpose of examining the mold
issue in Illinois and making recommendations to the general assembly pertaining
to the regulation of mold in indoor environments. CRI is currently monitoring
and investigating prognosis for passage.
INDIANA – House Bill 1461. School facilities standardization plans. The
bill relates to construction of new school facilities. Jennifer Mendez met last
week with the legislative aid in the office of bill-sponsor Matt Whetstone,
to discuss possible modifications to the legislation that would incorporate
proper maintenance of existing schools. She will continue to work with the bill
sponsors.
IOWA – House Bill 67. This is a bill for an act establishing a children's
environmental health and protection advisory council. CRI is currently monitoring
and investigating prognosis for passage.
MARYLAND – Senate Bills 173 and 592. Senate Bill 173 deals specifically
with indoor air quality in schools and Senate Bill 592 regards IAQ regulation.
CRI is currently monitoring and investigating prognosis for passage.
MASSACHUSETTS – Senate Bill 657. A bill to study the health effects of
toxic mold. CRI is currently monitoring and investigating prognosis for passage.
NEW HAMPSHIRE – House Bill 267 and Senate Bill 167. The legislation from
the House relates to the collection of IAQ data in public schools. The Senate
Bill is relative to IAQ assessment in public school buildings. CRI is currently
working to schedule time with bill sponsors in conjunction with visit to Connecticut.
NEW MEXICO – Senate Bill 489. Indoor air quality in schools act. This
act would adopt rules to establish a program for ensuring IAQ in public and
private schools, including formation of an advisory committee. Similar to model
legislation, CRI introduced to the American Legislate Exchange Council last
August.
NEW YORK – Senate Bill 896. Relates to enacting the toxic mold protection
act. CRI is currently monitoring and investigating prognosis for passage.
TEXAS -
House Bill 22. This Bill would provide for school districts to develop and implement
an indoor air quality program at each facility and appoint a coordinator to
manage the program.
House Bill 473. This Bill will establish voluntary guidelines for indoor air
quality in government buildings including schools. These guidelines will be
mandatory for schools constructed or substantially renovated after the effective
date of this legislation. The Bill also requires school districts to conduct
an annual indoor air quality assessment.
Senate Bill 383. The Bill creates a commission to monitor residential building
standards in residential construction and provides for a dispute resolution
process.
House Bill 98. This Bill would create an advisory committee to make recommendations
on building specifications and maintenance related to the use of mold, fire
and water resistant materials in residential buildings. Use of approved materials
will qualify the property owner for an insurance premium discount.
VIRGINIA – Senate Bill 908. Occupational health and safety; mold. Amends
the Code of Virginia by adding a chapter relating to health and safety; mold
and penalties. CRI is currently monitoring and investigating prognosis for passage.
WASHINGTON – House Bill 1412. Creates the children's environmental
health and protection advisory council. Similar legislation was introduced in
2002 and did not pass. CRI will continue to monitor and investigate prognosis
for passage.
Other State Activities of Interest
FLORIDA DEP
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is creating a “Green
Hotels Program.” The voluntary Program would allow DEP officials to review
participant hotels environmental practices. The review would encompass observation
of water and energy usage, maintenance procedures and materials, and the quality
of the indoor air. CRI has been contacted to participate in the Program and
lend its indoor air quality expertise. Following a favorable review, participant
hotels will receive the State “Green Hotel” designation.
ILLINOIS GOVERNOR'S MANSION
As Governor Blagojevich enters his first term as Governor of Illinois, he and
his family will have the opportunity to occupy the Governor's mansion in
Springfield. Patty Blagojevich, his wife, has a number of allergy problems.
Last week Jennifer Mendez met with Dave Strickland, the head of the Governor's
DC office, to discuss possible opportunities to work with the First Lady of
Illinois to educate and make her transition to new housing more comfortable.
CRI is currently working on plans to visit Illinois and offer the First Lady
a Green Label vacuum cleaner.
