Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2018

S tate, National, Chapter News Feature Story

experience, and licensing got to do with it anyway. Even worse, the person or company can use their affiliation with an organization to support their claimed credibility in lieu of a license. The law would say that one of its purposes is to, “ Empower industry groups, trade organizations, and similar private associations to self-regulate without the participation of government;” So, you, a friend, and I, a group of three, could start the First Association of Economic Freedom for the Practice of (insert the trade name) to Serve Arkansans. As a bonafied Arkansas non-profit corporation, we could certify ourselves as certified tradesman in virtually anything. Any trade or occupation not exempt from the law would be our market. Electrical, plumbing, HVACR, etc., etc., etc. Having our certification could be used by the untrained and inexperienced to confuse and fool trusting Arkansans into believing that the prospective company was legitimate. Truth is, they would be. Legitimacy is not the question. Competency is the question. Consumer protection is the question. This is a very sly and onerous way to eliminate or severely limit consumer protection through licensing. We must realize that our work of defending the trades and the consumer is not over. It has merely taken a new path. The 2019 legislative session will be here soon and we all must take note of our state representative and senators. You must know their phone number and be ready to express your feelings about this legislation should it be presented. That’s right, it has not yet been

presented, but we believe that those who worked so hard to promote similar legislation will again follow the Institute for Justice down this new labeling of the same goal. The State is in a state of change— maybe good, maybe not so good. One thing is certain. No one is going to look out for you, your family, your business, your employees, or your customers like you will. You know them, not as numbers or votes but as good people. You care more for their comfort, safety, and success than someone in the legislature. This is not to say that the legislator is bad—only that your proximity to the situation gives you a clearer perspective. Share that perspective and protect your family.

A Truly Honest Disclosure

I understand that this person or company may not have elected to take the necessary training, or complete the necessary experience, or pay the very minimum license fee to help support inspection should I have a problem. But that is OK! They just seem so nice. I also understand that while I am not surrendering my right to civil action, if this person takes advantage of me, the cost of the law suit will be too expensive and I will be better off just letting this person or company off the hook. I understand there is no real civil remedy and I am totally trusting in this person because they just seem so nice. What has training, experience, and licensing got to do with it anyway. Signed _____________________ “Trusting Consumer”