October 10, 2007
House Approves Pool & Spa Safety Act; Senate Action Pending
By unanimous consent, H.R. 1721, the House version of the Pool & Spa Safety Act, was approved by the House of Representatives on October 9. The bill approved is identical to the one approved earlier by the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection on July 31 and by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee on September 28. As reported previously, the Senate version of the bill, S. 1771, is awaiting floor action by the full Senate, expected by the end of October. Once passed by both Houses, differences in the two bills will have to be resolved by the two bodies, and APSP will be active in seeking an appropriate resolution prior to final passage.
Update on Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative
Over 50 influential leaders of the hot tub industry representing manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and service professionals met in a session of the Hot Tub Council (HTC) of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) in San Diego on Thursday, September 20, 2007. MORE.
H-2B Employers: Your Immediate Action Needed!
You may already know that last year’s H-2B cap relief bill—the returning worker exemption—expired September 30. This impacts your ability to hire seasonal, non-agricultural foreign workers next spring. What can you do? Click HERE to find out.
APSP Exhibits at Conference for Health Officials
On September 26-27, Pam Vinje, representing APSP Region 3, exhibited at the annual Colorado Environmental Health Association (CEHA) exhibition and conference in Breckenridge, CO. She reported that the health officials who work with pools and spas expressed concern over the number of recreational water illnesses that occurred this past summer. In response, APSP is providing these health officials with complimentary access to its ANSI standards and its quarterly Recreational Water Quality e-newsletter for public health officials. MORE.
Member Discounts: Credit Card Processing
Provided by Boaz Group
APSP has negotiated guaranteed savings for members on credit card processing through a national pricing arrangement with Boaz Payment Systems. The APSP BankCard Program has met with enthusiastic response, with dealers saving an average of $1,500 per year with wholesale processing rates. Boaz offers a free savings analysis of your current bankcard processor, no new equipment requirements, equipment reprogrammed over the phone in five minutes, no application or enrollment fees, no batch fees, and the lowest rates guaranteed. Contact APSP BankCard representatives today at 866.992.2737.
Florida Update
New Pool Bonding Rule Imminent, APSP-7 Suction Entrapment Standard to Take Effect in 2008
On August 21, the Florida Building Commission (FBC) adopted the equipotential bonding rule into its 2007 Building Code, which was consistent with the legislative bill that allows for a single wire alternative to the bonding grid. The new building code also adopts the ANSI/APSP-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance. MORE.
Tee Off at the APSP President’s Cup!
APSP is partnering with Great Golf Events to present a first-class golf tournament on Monday, November 26, 2007 leading into the International Pool & Spa Expo activities. Proceeds will benefit the APSP’s Government Relations Advisory Committee (GRAC) to enhance its effectiveness in lobbying and regulatory efforts. The event will be held at ChampionsGate golf course—located 4 miles from the Orange County Convention Center. This course will host the nationally televised PGA Father/Son Invitational the following weekend, so the greens and fairways will be in top form. Your participation is welcome; your support of GRAC, appreciated. Click here to register to play or sponsor.
Steve Barnes Named Chair of APSP Technical Committee
The APSP Board of Directors has appointed Steve Barnes, Pentair Water Pool and Spa, to chair the APSP Technical Committee. Barnes assumed the chairmanship at the October Technical Committee meeting, taking over from Lee West of Newport Controls, a division of Rogerson Aircraft Corporation. Barnes is a member of the ASME, ASTM, and APSP suction safety standards writing committees, and he has invented and designed suction safety fittings and systems. Click HERE for more technical news.
New Photos of Jeanette Lee on HotTubLiving.com
World-champion pool player Jeanette Lee has been a presence on the HotTubLiving website since February 2007 as a celebrity spokesperson for the hot tub industry. Known as “The Black Widow” for her ability to “devour” opponents and for wearing black at tournaments, Lee has undergone several scoliosis-related surgeries since the age of 13. She cites warm-water therapy as a major factor in her speedy recovery. New images of Lee enjoying her new hot tub with her husband and children promote hot tubs as a venue to relax and rejuvenate together. Visit HotTubLiving.com to view the new pictures.
You can contribute to IC. Click here to find out how, or send an email to ic@APSP.org. You may also fax 703.549.0493.