Committee votes to cut supervision with about 30 business-MiamiHerald.com

TALLAHASSEE--Deregulation fever consumer State legislators is paving the way for an end oversight of nearly 30 professions.

A Bill to dissolve regulation interior designers, geologists, dance studios, mold inspectors, hair braiders and other cleared its first House Committee stop on Tuesday.

Backers of the measure, which repeals the requirements for licensing and investigation, in other words, it will strengthen the economy by making it easier to open small businesses.

It is a philosophy expressed by the elected officials at all levels, both President Barack Obama and Florida gov. Rick Scott says to get rid of unnecessary rules would create jobs.

But the concept is not without controversy.

People on both sides delivered emotional public testimony during Tuesday's discussion with much time spent on commercial interior designers.

More than once, Committee President Rép Esteban Bovo, R-Hialeah, noted passion in the room.

Speakers came all the way from New Jersey and New Hampshire to argue in favour of deregulation, commercial interior design industry. Supporters say the regulations simply close out newcomers and perpetuate a monopoly by a device "cartel."

Opponents say it is a public issues, safety, health and welfare, and appropriate training and certification is essential to ensure designers of commercial spaces not commit such errors as recommend flammable paints, disease-carrying textiles and blocked exits.

Michelle Early, an interior designer, specialising in health facilities, told the Panel her expertise means she knows in order to avoid textiles, which contribute to the spread of hospital-acquired infections, as she mentioned reason 88,000 deaths per year.

"By failing to allow interior designers to be specialists and focus on the things they do, you are creating essentially contributes to 88,000 deaths each year," soon said.

Advocates of deregulation say significant security issues are dealt with by building and fire safety codes.

Patti Morrow, Executive Director of the interior design protection Council based in New Hampshire, said there is "not a shred of evidence" to regulate interior design protects the public.

She pointed out that Florida is one of only three States which regulate this profession.

"Florida is so hostile to small businesses and entrepreneurs," Morrow said. "Licensing is a burden".

Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, wanted to know if experience strategic hanging Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd posters in his college dorm room qualifies him as an interior designer, though he was not licensed by the State. The answer was Yes.

Rouson then gave his vote against the Bill with the losing side, says: "I know we are trying to stimulate the economy, stimulate employment, stimulating jobs, but there are reasons to protect people."

Dana Young, R-Tampa, was among those pushing against the passage of the bill, although she expressed concern over Loosening supervision with geologists and surveyors. Them are professionals whose expertise is critical for such things as aquifer protection, environmental mediation of new development and determine flood zones, she said.