December 2008 www.FloridaPoolPro.com December 19 deadline Election Night Brings fast approaching Some Surprises By Jennifer Hatfi eld, Director of Government & Public Affairs By Kari Hebrank, FSPA Lobbyist, and Jennifer Hatfi eld, Director of Government & Public Affairs There are many questions websites. surrounding the implementation of The approximately 7,000 public The election results for the Florida vacated by Sen. Webster and kept the federal Virginia Graeme Baker pools/spas in Florida that have single House of Representatives and Florida SD 24, previously fi lled by Sen. Posey, Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGB Act) drain direct suction will be required by Senate races provided a few surprises. with former Rep. Altman beating within Florida and across the nation. the DOH to be retro-fi tted to gravity In the House races, the Democrats Democrat Moore. Additionally, Sen. The Consumer Product Safety drainage within the next four years. gained HD 10, formerly held by Carlton’s seat remained in Republican Commission (CPSC), charged with These pools/spas can either retro- Republican Will Kendrick, with Bembry hands with Republican candidate implementing and enforcing the VGB fi t to gravity drainage now to meet beating out the Republican candidate Detert capturing SD 23 over Democrat Act, and the Florida Department of the VGB Act and the pending DOH Curtis. The Democrats also picked Bentley. The Democrats managed to Health (DOH), continue to provide requirement, or use one of the other up HD 81 with Fetterman beating hold onto previously held democratic information on what they will require options found in the VGB Act as a Republican contender DiTerlizzi, a slots with Sen. Siplin keeping SD and how to implement both federal temporary solution until the pool/spa seat held previously by Republican 19 by a 50.5% to 49.5% margin and state rules respectively. FSPA will must comply with the revisions to Gayle Harrell. The Republicans over Republican challenger Ortiz, continue to update this information at 64E-9, F.A.C. were able to take HD 32 away from and former House members Sobel www.fl oridapoolpro.com. If your customers include public the incumbent Democrat Tony Sasso, and Gelber winning SD 31(formerly The federal VGB Act requires pool owners, help get the word out by with Republican Crisafulli winning held by Geller) and SD 35 (Margolis’ that by December 19, 2008 ALL notifying them of the federal and state the seat. Two House races were too seat) respectively. Also, former public pools and spas must have requirements. Continue to watch close to call the morning after Election legislator Chris Smith easily won SD installed a drain cover compliant with for compliant drain covers coming Day, but fi nal results kept HD 9 seat in 29, vacated by term-limited Dawson. the 2007 ASME A112.19.8 standard, into the marketplace and place an Democrat hands with Vaslinda edging FSPA’s PIPAC had a 100 percent and all public pools and spas with a order as soon as possible. If your out Republican candidate Boulware, success rate in the Senate races that direct suction single drain install an order becomes backlogged consider and HD 11 incumbent Democrat we supported this election cycle. additional device (SVRS, vent line, keeping this information on fi le and Debbie Boyd winning re-election There were six proposed state gravity feed, automatic shut-off, or providing written documentation to over Republican challenger Porter. constitutional amendments on this drain disablement). Approved covers the public pool owner that a compliant Of the 56 House races FSPA PIPAC year’s ballot; four of them passed and other devices can be found on drain cover is forthcoming. The supported, 52 of those supported won and will become part of the State the CPSC website or via the FSPA CPSC recognizes that there may be their respective race, refl ecting a 93% Constitution. The Florida Marriage website. diffi culties in complying with the VGB success rate in the House races that Protection Amendment passed with However, public pools and spas Act prior to the December 19, 2008 we supported this election cycle. 61.9% approval. The Changes and in Florida must also meet the DOH deadline. Making a good faith effort On the Senate side, the Improvements Not Affecting the requirements found in 64E-9, F.A.C. to comply is an important step in the Republicans maintained their 26-14 Assessed Value of Residential Real Specifically, these 2007 ASME right direction. Continue to watch for advantage over the Democrats. The Property barely passed the 60% A112.19.8 approved covers must also further updates from the CPSC and Republicans held onto SD 9 with threshold needed with 60.5% approval. meet the Florida maximum fl ow rate FL DOH, all of which can be found at former House member Republican This amendment authorizes the of 1.5 fps. Until recently there were www.fl oridapoolpro.com, http://www. Andy Gardiner taking over the slot Legislature, by general law, to prohibit very few covers available that met doh.state.fl.us/environment/water/ Continued on page 6 both the federal and state regulations, swim/, or www.cpsc.gov but there are now a few, with more If you have additional questions, forthcoming. For a list of drain covers contact Jennifer Hatfi eld at: Jennifer@ Rick Howard, that meet both the federal and state fl oridapoolpro.com Rick’s Pool requirements go to the FSPA or DOH Service, Inc., showing his News Splash support Rep. Ron Reagan, Kari Hebrank, Speaker • FSPA member appointed to the FBC. Ken Greory has been Ray Sansom and Jennifer Hatfi eld appointed by Governor Crist as the fi rst pool contractor member of the Florida Building Commission. Page 3 • Insurance Update: Check your company vehicle insurance for coverage of chemical spills in an auto accident. Page 3 • Meet your 2009 Executive Committee. Read about each individual’s background in the industry and FSPA, and see what goals they each have for the next year. Page 5 Sarasota, Florida 34240 Florida Sarasota, 2555 Porter Lake Drive, Suite 106 Suite Drive, Lake Porter 2555 PERMIT # 18 # PERMIT Florida Swimming Pool Association Pool Swimming Florida • Energy Talk: Pool covers have changed over the years. There are 34260 several types and several different savings they provide. Page 4 Florida MANASOTA, PAID U.S. POSTAGE U.S. • orkers’ Compensation attorney fee limitations were overturned. CLASS FIRST W PRE-SORT It is too early to know what the impact will be in Florida. Page 6 2 Florida Pool Prosm • December 2008 President's Column JJanuaryanuary 115-17,5-17, 20092009 The Executive Committee’s role CCommitteeommittee MMeetingseetings On De- Many members are under the BBoardoard ooff DDirectorsirectors MMeetingeeting cember 1 your impression that staff and the Executive newly elected Committee run our organization. You Executive would be correct if you were talking Committee about the day-to-day things that are RRenaissanceenaissance OrlandoOrlando HotelHotel AirportAirport members as- done in each of our businesses. sumed offi ce. However, it is you the members We are who set the guidelines for how our looking for- organization is operated. You, the 5445 Forbes Place, Orlando ward to Chapter members, elect the Executive serving you, Committee and Board members. Alan Cooper the members, FSPA members serve as committee Thursday, January 15 FSPA President and our members and committee chairmen. association The committees bring proposals to 3:00 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting and are already hard at work. Our the Board and the Board votes to (at Alan Cooper’s home) - if you are interested in committee chairman positions should accept or reject these proposals. It attending please contact Wendy Parker be fi lled before the end of the year. is the responsibility of staff and the Anyone who was interested in one Executive Committee to see that the of the chairmanships should have proposals the Board approves are Friday, January 16 already contacted a member of the implemented. Executive Committee. This year each By the time you read this 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Energy Task Force Executive Committee member has government elections will long be over 9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Membership Committee been assigned as a liaison between and hopefully our new leaders will the committees and the Executive have a direction that will lead us to the 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Builders Council Committee. This should provide us beginning of an economic recovery. Break for lunch with more up-to-date information From everything I hear this has been regarding committee activities. Also, a very tough year for many and it may 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. GR Update for Builders a member of the Executive Committee not be over yet. However, I want to and Service Council will be visiting each Chapter sometime take this opportunity to thank each 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Service Council during the year. Our visit will allow us and every one of you for renewing to hear directly from the members and your membership and to thank those 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Consumer Awareness allow us to better serve each of you. who volunteer to serve the Chapters Committee The Executive Committee’s and state organization. We could not 4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Safety Council function is to carry out the Board’s have accomplished all that we have decisions and policies and to make without you and your support. 5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Trade Show Meeting decisions between Board meetings I would be remiss if I did not 6:00 p.m.