PRIORITY BILLS:
Arizona: HB 2334 by Rep. Montenegro (R - Majority) repeals the pool pump energy standards that went into effect on January 1, 2012. This marks the second year an attempt at repealing these provisions has been made. Last year, APSP Arizona members worked diligently to explain to the bill sponsors and committee members why this law should not be repealed. APSP supports energy efficiency measures for pools and spas, as provided in our APSP-14 and APSP-15 energy efficiency standards.
If adverse effects exist from the Arizona pool pump requirements that have now been in place for over a year, APSP welcomes the opportunity to work with the bill sponsor and the AZ legislature as a whole on ways to address the concerns, but believes a complete repeal is not in the best interest of the citizens of Arizona. To date no Senate companion bill has been filed and the House bill has yet to receive a hearing. APSP encourages its Arizona members to work together, with the assistance of Jennifer Hatfield, APSP Government Relations Director, on addressing this bill.
Massachusetts: S.85 by Sen. Clark (D- Majority) has been filed and referred to the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. This bill would create both a license to build and a license to service swimming pools and spas within the state. APSP Massachusetts members are meeting to discuss the specifics of this bill and any needed amendments on Monday, February 25 from 3-5:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel in Framingham. APSP strongly encourages all who build or service pools and spas in Massachusetts to attend this important meeting!
ADDITIONAL BILLS TO WATCH:
Florida: SB 156 by Sen. Detert (R- Majority) & HB 737 by Rep. Ahern (R-Majority) put cleaning and maintenance back under pool licensing, but also removes the one year work experience requirement needed to obtain the pool service license. Instead, they require the 60 hour course currently required, along with an additional 20 hours of hands-on education, in order to be able to sit for the pool service exam. These bills eliminate the current barrier of entry into the pool service license and ensure all working on pools and spas have the necessary education and licensure. This important legislation is being supported and worked on by the Florida Swimming Pool Association and APSP has provided its support to this effort.
Indiana: SB 466 by Sen. Schneider (R - Majority) provides an exemption from state department of health rules governing swimming and wading pools for condominiums that meet certain requirements. Specifically, the legislation says that an indoor pool maintained by a condo that has fewer than 100 units, for the sole use of the condo’s residents and if the condo property is restricted by a gate requiring a pass code for entry and the pool is locked, is exempt from department of health rules.
Maryland: HB 364 by Rep. Hucker (D - Majority) requires each county or municipality that owns or operates a swimming pool to develop and implement a specified automated external defibrillator program that meets specified requirements for specified swimming pools; requires the owners and operators of specified swimming pools to develop and implement a specified automated external defibrillator program that meets specified requirements; requires specified State agencies jointly to adopt regulations etc. This bill received its first hearing on February 12.
Massachusetts: The following two bills have been filed, but the text is not yet available; therefore, APSP will report on more specifics of each bill when more is known:
* HD 154 by Rep. Puppolo (D- Majority) provides some type of requirement for swimming pool alarms.
* SD 129 by Sen. Rodrigues (D – Majority) addresses mobile spas.
Mississippi: HB 297 by Rep. Carpenter (R- Majority) authorizes an income tax credit for costs incurred by a taxpayer for the purchase and installation of a solar water heater system in property that is the primary residence of the taxpayer or that is owned by the taxpayer and rented to others for dwelling purposes. This would include a solar water heating system to heat a swimming pool.
Missouri: HSB 253 by Sen. Justice (D-Minority & HB 210 by Rep. Cox (R – Majority) change the laws regarding the criminal code, specifically they make terminology changes relating to the crime of prohibiting life jacket use in a swimming pool.
Texas: The following bills have been filed:
• SB 582 by Sen. Davis (D-Minority) addresses swimming pool alarms and exit alarms for certain single-family homes, providing a civil penalty.
• HB 1235 by Rep. Dale (R-Majority) requires municipal pools that have been closed for a certain period of time to open if certain criteria is met and a petition requesting the opening is received. United States Congress: HR 203 by Rep. Mulvaney (R – South Carolina) directs the Attorney General to revise certain rules under titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 relating to accessible means of entry to pools.