Maryland Home Improvement Commission Public Business Meeting Minutes

Date: April 3, 2008

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Place: 500 N. Calvert Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Borz, Chairman James O. Chiracol Marilyn Jumalon Rossana Marsh Joseph Tunney Andrew Snyder

OTHERS PRESENT: Steven Smitson, Executive Director Jennifer Grimes, Assistant Executive Director Joel Jacobson, Assistant Attorney General Sheri Henderson, Licensing Supervisor Kimberly G. Rosenthal, Administrative Aide Stanley Botts, Commissioner Harry Loleas, Deputy Commissioner Helen Johnson, Administrative Officer

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 10:09 a.m.

Minutes

The Minutes of the February 7, 2008 meeting were approved.

Guaranty Fund The Guaranty Fund balance as of February 28, 2008 was $1,849,191.26.

Summary Report

Ms. Grimes submitted the following data for Fiscal Year 2008 through March 2008:

Investigator/Complaint Activity February March FY 2008 Year To Date Claims Received 38 39 258 Complaints Received 156 181 1593 Monetary Status Monetary Settlement by $26,561 $46,734.00 $208,893.06 Investigators Restitution thru Criminal Cases $199,868.92 $104,963.17 $975,785.62 Total $226,429.92 $151,697.17 $1,241,874.50 Guaranty Fund Guaranty Fund Award $91,004.42 $1,758.31 $939,562.09 Fees Recovered $7,561.00 $1,758.31 $71,988.59 Licensing Activity Current/Expired Current/Expired Total Contractor/Salesperson 15,822/25,547 15,826/25,644 41,470 Sub-Contractor 659/3,107 657/3,115 3,772 Salesperson 2,250/11,217 2,262/11,245 13507 Contractor/Salesperson 6,778/6,967 6,781/7,054 13,835 (Corp/Part) New Applications Received 112 146 795 Telephone Calls Received 506 786 5649 Applications Returned to 89 89 531 Contractors

Examination Results

The overall passing rate for March 2008 was 64%.

New Business

a. Acorn Stair Lift

The Commission reviewed Acorn Stair Lift. The chair lift attaches by a metal rail running from the top to the bottom of the floor. The chair lift is attached with screws or bolts. The Commission determined that a license would not be required. b. Sending a Delegation to Western Maryland for a series of Public meetings for awareness of the MHIC.

Commissioner Snyder spoke about Western Maryland and how it’s not served by the Commission. Homeowner’s and Contractor’s need to be more aware of the MHIC. He suggested that MHIC send a delegation along with the building inspectors department and have an open house to explain who we are and what we do. The Executive Director will try to communicate with the people there and draft a plan of action. Meetings with local officials and homeowners' associations, as well as a Public Service Announcement on their local cable channel may also help. Commissioner Snyder and the Executive Director will work together to get the word out.

c. HB 409, HB1309 and HB 589

Harry Loleas reported on a very brisk legislative session that saw a large number of bills affecting DLLR. Specific bills affecting the Commission include:

HB 409, which will increase the amount of Guaranty Fund claims from $15,000 to $20,000 for each claimant and increased the small claim amount from $2,500 to $5,000. HB 589 is the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act of 2008, which will require contractors to have a lead paint accreditation number and accreditation expiration date if the applicant performs lead abatement services. The Commission will note which licensed home improvement contractors are also accredited to perform lead abatement services. HB 1309 creates the Mold Remediation Services Acts, which requires persons who provide mold remediation services on residential properties to be licensed by the Home Improvement Commission.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

______John Borz, Chairman Steven Smitson, Executive Director