Home-Remodel Contractors May Have to Hit the Books

In response to a flood of consumer complaints in recent years about home remodel and repair contractors, state regulators had high hopes for reforms that would subject the contractors to the continuing education requirements and comprehensive testing required of related trades, such as asbestos contractors.

And who better to carry such legislation than Assemblyman Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar), who had been a contractor for 27 years?

But what emerged from the Senate’s Business and Professions Committee on Monday amounts to a small step to increase consumer protection, supporters of the bill acknowledge.

About 70% of the 30,000 complaints filed each year with the Contractors’ State License Board stem from home-improvement projects gone awry, the board said. The most common complaints concern home-improvement contractors who do shoddy work, and repairmen who quit before a job is completed.

Miller’s AB 1213 requires a one-time, open-book examination for contractors who repair, remodel or add on to residential properties.

The bill, which passed the Assembly in May on a 77-0 vote, is not opposed by the contractor industry, which had prevented the mandate for continuing education from making the first draft of the bill.

Representatives in Miller’s office said the legislation leaves some wiggle room, should the state board want to increase the frequency of the open-book test, which is designed to keep contractors abreast of changes in state laws and business regulations.

AB 1213 moves next to the Senate Appropriations Committee. No hearing date has been scheduled.

Hot Bills

* Hospital Care for Mothers

Bottom line: Women’s groups, labor unions and health organizations are supporting a measure that would bring California in line with federal legislation signed last year requiring HMOs to pay for hospital stays of at least 48 hours for mothers and their newborns. Unlike the federal law that goes into effect Jan. 1, this legislation would take effect immediately and would allow hospitals to discharge mothers before the 48 hours, provided an in-home follow-up visit is covered by the health plan.

Chances: Despite opposition from the California Manufacturers Assn., which contends that covering an in-home, follow-up visit would increase the cost of employer-provided health care, the bill passed the Assembly by a 61-12 margin. The bill needs two-thirds’ approval by the Legislature and the governor’s signature to take immediate effect.

Next step: Senate floor vote as early as Monday.

Details: AB 38 author Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) can be reached at (916) 445-7874.

* Affordable-Housing Exemptions

Bottom line: Affordable-housing advocates say there is a shortage of low- and moderate-income housing, especially in metropolitan areas offering new jobs. They are pushing a measure that would increase the number of developments exempted from full-scale environmental review. Current exemptions are limited to developments with 45 units on two acres of land. This bill would grant exemptions to projects of 100 units on five acres of land.

Chances: The measure enjoys support from builders, Realtors and housing activists. It cleared the Assembly on a 70-5 vote and passed the Senate’s Committee on Environmental Quality 5-1.

Next step: Senate Appropriations Committee, no date scheduled.

Details: AB 175 author Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch) can be reached at (916) 445-7890.

Please send Capitol Matters comments via e-mail to cyndia.zwahlen@latimes.com.