The State Licensing Board for Contractors is looking at a pair of bills this legislative session as a way of toughening existing laws. Michael McDuff, executive director of the organization, says the group is backing House Bill 147, by Rep. Juan LaFonta, D-New Orleans, which sets criminal penalties for fraudulent and unlicensed contractors. Offenders would face fines of $500 to $5,000, and or between six months to five years in jail. “The intent is good,” McDuff says. “We have lot of complaints from consumers about people who are not licensed.” The contractors hope to bring LaFonta’s bill back this session, after some language was worked out.
Another bill the organization is backing is House Bill 198, from Rep. John LaBruzzo, R-Metairie, which would require swimming pool contractors to be licensed. McDuff says there have been a lot of problems with unlicensed builders installing pools. “There are a lot of unqualified people doing swimming pool work,” he says. LaBruzzo’s bill is set to go before the House on May 27 for a vote.
The thing both bills have in common is that they’re trying to protect consumers, McDuff says. “We have more than 60 hearings a month dealing with consumer complaints,” he says. “Consumers need to pay attention on the front end, or they’ll end up losing a fortune.”
