ALARM    ALARM

MARCH 1, 2000  -  LEGISLATIVE  ALARM  -  ACT NOW

SSB 5924 FLOOR ACTION SET FOR TODAY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

WASHINGTON BANKERS ASSOCIATION LETTER ATTACKS SSB 5924 WITH INNUENDO.

SEEK HELP NOW FROM ANY BANK MANAGEMENT PERSON YOU KNOW.
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IMMEDIATELY.

SSB 5964 PASSED OUT OF BOTH FFI AND RULES, BUT - -
         
The Washington Bankers Association (WBA) sent a letter yesterday, February 29, to House "Rules Committee Members" from Bruce A. Koppe, Executive Director.  The letter errs throughout.  Appraisers must GET THE TRUTH OUT
THIS MORNING!  Ask bank executives to SUPPORT SSB 5924, and to tell WBA today.

The WBA letter seems to imply (falsely, and without support) that evil intent lurks behind SSB 5924 which "significantly changes current law by replacing the Real Estate Appraiser Advisory Committee (REAAC) with a new real estate appraiser 'commission'."  No such intent exists.  The only intent is to introduce a check and balance into the real estate appraiser regulatory program so the regulator and the regulated profession cooperate in a formalized manner designed to protect the public with the assistance of the financial institutions.  This does not allow real estate appraisers to have "rulemaking authority over the Department" as implied by the WBA letter.

The letter shows a total lack of understanding of (or ignores) the fact that the Department of Licensing (DOL)'s "authority to adopt rules governing real estate appraisers, including standards for professional conduct and practices" is constrained by the existing federal and state statutes regulating both appraisers and financial institutions, whether or not the current "committee" becomes a "commission."  The existing stringent federal and state laws governing appraisers and appraisals cannot be altered by allowing an appraiser "commission" to approve changes in the Washington Administrative Code.

Strangely unsaid is that SSB 5924 will enhance the protection of both the public's interest and that of financial institutions way beyond the existing statute (18.140 RCW).  SSB 5924 creates dedicated seats on the new Commission for both a public member and a financial institutions member, along with five appraiser members.  Commission membership is to be distributed geographically.  It will answer ultimately to the elected chief executive as the members are to be appointed by the Governor. Presently "committee" members are appointed by the Director of Licensing to advise the Director, but the Director is not required to accept their recommendations.  The Director could engage in unilateral rule making under the current Real Estate Appraiser Act.

Ask your Representatives to reject the WBA letter and any floor amendment which may be offered, and to pass SSB 5924 according to the "Do Pass" recommendation of the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. Remind them this bill has been under committee study in prior years and is agreed to by the DOL. 

A copy of text of the WBA letter follows at the bottom of this message. SSB 5924 brings the appraiser regulatory system closer to parity with real estate brokers and salespersons, and mortgage brokers.  It is a fair bill to appraisers while affording better protection to the public.  Financial institutions gain a seat on the new "commission" that they are not now guaranteed on the "committee."  

WHAT IS WBA AFRAID OF?  THEIR LETTER DOES NOT SAY!  WHY NOT?  WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

First, use the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 to leave quick phone messages, and to get office phone numbers, fax numbers and e-mail addresses.  Then, call your Representatives' individual office and LEAVE A MESSAGE THERE IF HE/SHE IS OUT.  The e-mail address for every "Your State Representative" is representative_yo@leg.wa.gov.  The House of
Representatives Fax is 1-360-786-1066 (pages deliver). 

REQUEST FLOOR DELIVERY & TELEPHONE CONNECTION TO EACH OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.

CALL AND FAX ALL OTHER APPRAISERS NOW.

A Final Thought - -

This is do or die day.  Action on all bills in the Legislature must clear the floor of their opposite house by 5:00 p.m. Friday.  Yesterday, the House Rules Committee set SSB 5924 for today's Floor Calendar.  Your support and fast action this morning is essential.  No words can describe the hard work and continuing dedication of ACOW's Lobbyist, T.K. Bentler. Show him your appreciation by getting on the stick right now.  Postpone whatever else you have to do.  This is a one-shot chance to stand up and be counted as a proud appraiser.  Thanks to all for your efforts to date.

. . . JIM IRISH, ACOW President

P.S. - Read below to see the thanks for your hard work for some clients, or at least their spokespersons.  Let your real banker friends, of which we have many, know about this.  We do value those relationships.  JIM.

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WBA - WASHINGTON BANKERS ASSOCIATION
Serving the needs of Washington Bankers since 1889
233 Sixth Avenue North
Seattle, Washington  98109
206-447-1700
Fax 206-232-6453

Feb. 29, 2000

Washington State House of Representatives
Rules Committee Members

Dear Representatives:

Last week the Washington State Senate passed out bill SSB 5924 -- a bill modifying real estate appraisal laws.  The bill significantly changes current law by replacing the Real Estate Appraiser Advisory Committee with a new real estate appraiser "commission."
Under current law the Department of Licensing (DOL) has the authority to adopt rules governing real estate appraisers, including setting standards for professional conduct and practices.  The proposed bill would require approval of the commission for all rules promulgated by the DOL.
We sincerely believe that this is not good public policy.  The DOL, a regulatory body charged with oversight of real estate appraisers, should not have its actions subject to the approval of the regulated.  This would be the same as state and federally chartered financial institutions having rulemaking (sic) authority over the Department of Financial Institutions.

Based solely on this public policy principle, we urge you to oppose SSB 5924 in its present form.  If a floor amendment is not adopted eliminating the commission's authority to adopt and approve rules, then we would ask that you consider studying this legislation through the interim before making such a dramatic and unprecedented change in public policy.

Thank you for you (sic) consideration on this important issue.
Sincerely,

/S/
Bruce A. Koppe
Executive Director,
Washington Bankers Association


N.B. - - This is a true and exact retyped copy of the original.  JHI.

 MESSAGES ARE A MUST

Contacting your own Senators and Representatives is essential.  Phone and FAX numbers, E-mail and Post Office Addressees, bill copies and any other information which you need can be found by calling the Legislative Hot Line at 1-800-562-6000.  The illustrative model e-mail address for "Your Favorite Legislator" is legislator_yo@leg.wa.gov.  Use the WEB at www.leg.wa.gov for LEGInfo, or access by FTP at ftp.leg.wa.gov or by E-mail at ftpmail@leg.wa.gov.  

APPRAISAL NEWS IN WASHINGTON STATE

See ACOW on the Web at www.acow-wa.org for government and public relations related to appraising.  Request ACOW E-mail from bf777@scn.org until a listserve is implemented.  Sending fewer faxes will help to stretch ACOW's resources.  No part of this effort is too small to matter.  

Go to http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/Appraisers-WA to subscribe to newsgroup postings for appraisal business matters of interest in Washington State.  Stay abreast of who has or needs what in comparables.  See what's hot, and what's rot.

PLEASE HELP OUR PROFESSION NOW!

GET INVOLVED, ACOW NEEDS YOU!