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A New Approach To Regulatory Policy

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Eric Kirberg

By Eric Kirberg, Kirberg Roofing

Just about anyone and everyone who follows Missouri politics realizes that the new state Republican Gubernatorial administration and the Supermajority in the Missouri Legislature means elected and appointed officials are looking at our states’ policy challenges with fresh eyes.  This gives legislators an unprecedented opportunity to throw away old scripts and start finding new policy solutions to our issues.

On that subject and as a roofing contractor, I am glad that Representative Cornejo and Senator Cunningham have filed bills this session that call for Registration for Roofers. Many might question why in this environment, where there is so much zeal to cut through red tape, that they would do such a thing.

In my mind the answer is simple:  These bills are charting a new path for regulatory policy to stop bad actors while simultaneously ensuring that we are not creating onerous regulations.  They are simply working to create the least amount of government intrusion while making sure Missouri citizens are protected. The legislation is unprecedented in Missouri because both versions don’t require a board. Also, taxpayers aren’t paying for it, there is a fee to register. Both bills require proof of insurance and liability insurance which is common sense as anyone who has been up on a roof can tell you. Both bills clearly only apply to the roofing contractor.

Because I am following these bills and have an interest in the process, recently I listened to a “Missouri Times” podcast where Chairman Ross talked about his bill that sets the criteria for regulatory policy and said his bill was about “striking the right balance.” I commend his leadership. In the case of the roofing industry, there have been about 500 recorded complaints in a two-year period. The BBB lists roofing complaints in the top 10.  Representative Cornejo’s  bill requires all roofing contractors to register because it solves the problem without causing a lot of hoopla. Out-of state-roofers have to register which is a good policy step because bad actors in the industry prey upon consumers including out of state storm chasers who take advantage of people when they are vulnerable. That’s plain wrong.

There is a better way. The Missouri Legislature can take the bold step of creating a new type of regulatory policy and serve the public interest without burdening business. Senator Cunningham’s bill even goes a step further down the revolutionary path and calls for voluntary registration. He points out that responsible roofers will sign up and be accountable and the public will gravitate to those businesses. The bill also has a sunset provision so if it doesn’t prove effective the program automatically ends after five years. Is it worth trying? The answer is yes, why not?

These are exciting times and these bills support Leadership’s goals by coming up with ideas that do strike the right balance. A recent bill curtailed regulation for hair braiding which is a laudable step and I congratulate Representative Dogan for sponsoring it. However there is still more regulatory oversight for braiding hair than having a roof over one’s head and frankly I think at the very least a roof should be just as important. When the Missouri Assembly  look at policy, we as involved citizens have a responsibility to get involved and speak out for policies that don’t follow traditional politics.  That’s how we all win.