HIGHLIGHTS OF
THE CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD
 EXECUTIVE MEETING

Sacramento, CA
October 9, 2007
By Sam K. Abdulaziz

The Contractors’ State License Board held an Executive Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 9, 2007, in Sacramento, California. This was very well attended by the Board Members and staff. The most telling portion was presented by Registrar Steve Sands. It will be discussed later.

The Executive Committee Members present were:

Chair, James Miller; Secretary, Cynthia Mitchell; and Past Chair, Matt Kelly.

Vice Chair, Donald Zampa was absent.

Board Member Ed Lang was also present.

In addition, senior staff was present and participated in presenting the program.

I. Administrative and Information Technology Program Update

Denise Brown presented the Administrative and Information Technology Program update.

She reported on the importance of succession planning to the Board because of the aging of their senior staff. Indeed, the Board will be losing some very important people with a great deal of history. Part of the plan is being handled by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Department of Consumer Affairs had taken the lead for all Boards and Bureaus in that regard. The Contractors' State License Board has prepared a chart, which will identify the major components needed to implement a succession plan. The original target date for completion of the plan was January 2008. However, based on the Department of Consumer Affairs timeline for completion, the date has been extended to January 2009.

II. Personnel Update

Examinations are planned for testing personnel and taking examinations. At the present time, there are 33 vacancies. The total authorized personnel is 425. The largest number of authorized personnel is in enforcement. Most recently, out of 15 vacant positions in licensing, 12 have been filled.


III. Website

The new website is up and running very well. The Contractors' State License Board is now looking for consultants to get into phase two of the website planning. The Internet site was launched a few months ago to standing ovations.

IV. Budget

The final budget for fiscal year 2006/07 was approximately $27 million. The 2007/08 approved budget is approximately $56,500,000.00. The net change is 4.5%. The expenses as of August 31, 2007, is approximately $10 million. Approximately 82% of the budget remains.

V. Revenue

The Contractors' State License Board received revenue in the amount of approximately $11 million through August 31, 2007. This is down slightly, approximately 11%, since last year at this time.

VI. Registrar’s Remarks

As mentioned in the beginning, this was probably the most telling portion of the meeting, although out of order. Further, it was probably the one that was least thought of until recently. The discussion started with Registrar Steve Sands providing information that had not been very well thought out previously. Based on Registrar Sands’ report, the Strategic Plan that was approved could very well change.

As an overview of other things going on, the Governor now is requiring Green Standards Policies in place. He wants to deal with such things as global warming, energy commission requirements, immigration issues, and there really is no way to determine what the effect of those items would be. This could be a real problem.

In addition, Registrar Sands has become a member of numerous other top flight associations including being on the Board of the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies.

VII. Strategic Planning

With respect to the Strategic Plan, the Board had previously had good results dealing with this issue, which was very well received. Therefore, they are going to be using the same facilitator that they have used before who will now better understand the staff and the Board. The Board has been allowed to enter into an agreement where they can, if they wish, utilize the same personnel for the next three years in this strategic planning session.

VIII. Legislation

Mike Brown gave the Legislative Committee report. A number of things on the Contractors' State License Board wish list have become two-year bills. However, some of the requests have already been Chaptered, such as enacting provisions to increase the statute of limitations for filing Administrative actions against a licensee who has been convicted of a crime.

Another request deals with enacting provisions dealing with a consumer injury resulting from aiding and abetting a non-licensee.

IX. Licensing

The licensing committee is responsible to maintain the integrity of the exam as current and relevant. Also, to ensure that licensed contractors meet education and experience requirements to ensure that the processes in licensing are current and efficient. The Licensing Committee is looking for a consultant to look at the “business flow.”

X. Enforcement

The Enforcement Division continues to partner with other agencies. They are getting a great deal more support from District Attorneys than they had in the past. They are going to establish two additional investigators and establish a SWIFT Center in the Central Valley.

XI. Communication and Education

Rick Lopes and his staff are still doing a wonderful job in communication and education. The ongoing responsibilities are to insure that contractors understand their professional obligations and responsibilities, educating the public about their rights and responsibilities in the contracting process, educating contractors about building codes, construction methods, and business practices, and informing the public about the role and function of the CSLB.
 

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