If a hair stylist needs a license to cut hair, shouldn’t the contractor that is responsible for working on your home have the same?
Did you know that right now Connecticut home improvement contractors only have to pay a registration fee to get a license? No testing or proof of training and/or skill level is required, leaving Connecticut homeowners vulnerable to unskilled and non-reputable rogue contractors. On January 10th Rep. Kim Rose she proposed bill HB 5149 <http://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/TOB/H/2013HB-05149-R00-HB.htm> that would license building contractors by requiring testing, bonding and town building department enforcement by requiring proof of licensing to receive permits. The bill would protect homeowners from financial and/or physical damage by requiring all contractors be licensed.
Representative Rose was personally involved with a "registered" contractor who caused a lot of financial and physical damage to her house, and she has 16 years experience working for the City of Bridgeport Building Dept. In addition several constituents contacted her regarding issues with "registered" contractors.
95% of the Remodeling Contractors Association said they would support this legislation. Professional contractors know that the “guy in the pick-up truck” that does a bad job or leaves a homeowner stranded with an unfinished project gives a bad rap to all contractors.
THIS IS BEING BROUGHT TO THE GENERAL LAW COMMITTEE WITHIN DAYS. IF YOU WANT TO STATE YOUR OPINION REGARDING THIS BILL, IT MUST BE DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
At the bottom of this email is a list of members sitting on the General Law Committee. The General Law Committee has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Consumer Protection so you can see why contacting them is also important.
Rep. Rose stated the following: IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THEY WRITE MEMBERS of the General Law Committee, (see list below) IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR THEM TO CONTACT THEIR PERSONAL REPS. YET. Because there are over 2,000 bills introduced and only a handful make it to hearings most representatives don’t look at emails on individual bills until they come up for hearings.
If you are not sure what to say but want to let members of the General Law Committee know that you want them to support HB 5149, here is sample text you can use. It doesn’t matter what towns they represent. Write them all and let your voice be heard!
“I am in support of HB 5149 and would like to see this bill brought to a public hearing. Currently, anyone can pay to get an HIC registration # and Connecticut homeowners have no way to determine a skilled and experienced contractor from an unskilled and non-reputable contractor. Many States already test and license home contractors to protect their residents. It’s about time Connecticut starts protecting their residents.”
If you have any questions, you can direct them to Representative Kim Rose<mailto:kim.rose@cga.ct.gov?subject=CT%20Contractor%20License%20Suggestions>
General Law Committee:
S09 - Doyle, Paul R.<http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/Cap/php-bin/form.mail/Doyle-mailform.php> Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill & Wethersfield Co-Chair
015 - Baram, David A.<mailto:David.Baram@cga.ct.gov?subject=HB5149%20-%20Protect%20Homeowners%20and%20License%20Contractors> Windsor & Bloomfield Co-Chair
S01 - Fonfara, John W.<http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/Fonfara-mailform.php> Hartford & Wethersfield Vice Chair
059 - Kiner, David W.<mailto:David.Kiner@cga.ct.gov?subject=HB5149%20-%20Protect%20Homeowners%20and%20License%20Contractors> East Windsor & Enfield Vice Chair
S08 - Witkos, Kevin D.<mailto:Kevin.Witkos@cga.ct.gov?subject=HB5149%20-%20Protect%20Homeowners%20and%20License%20Contractors> Avon, Canton, Simsbury Ranking Member
002 - Carter, Dan<mailto:dan.carter@housegop.ct.gov?subject=HB5149%20-%20Protect%20Homeowners%20and%20License%20Contractors> Danbury, Newtown, Redding Ranking Member
