Public swimming pools and spas that are on direct suction systems shall have a one year extension from

Posted on April 19, 2011 to Industry News, VGB

514.0315 Required safety features for public swimming pools and spas.

Public swimming pools and spas that are on direct suction systems shall have a one year extension from the initial compliance date to install a gravity drainage system, as required by department rule.

Subject: Legislative Update of Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Good Evening,

Our Governmental Affairs Consultant for United Pool and Spa Association, Bruce Kershner, contacted me multiple time on Tuesday, April 12^th, as Senate Bill 1480 was heard before the Senate Health Regulations Committee. In what Bruce described to me as a “roller coaster ride: of a day regarding this pool industry bill, the end result was a good one for UPSA>

Bruced worked all day collectively with Jennifer Hatfield of FSPA, in joint pool industry effort to help the key senators involved with the bill develop final “language” that appear to be fair for all parties at this time. Our hats are off to bill sponsor Senator Evers, as well s as Senators Jones, Altman, and Latvala, for coming up with a compromise to move the bill forward to its next committee assignment next week.

In a nutshell, a ONE YEAR EXTENSION from the original compliance dates in Chapter 64E-9 for all pools and spas on direct suction to convert to gravity feed has been proposed by the Health Regulation Committee. The exact language that was replaced in the bill is as follows.

514.0315 Required safety features for public swimming pool s and spas. – Public swimming pools and spas that are on a direction suction system shall have a one year extension from the initial compliance date to install a gravity drainage system, as required by department rule.

This bill, as well as its House counterpart, HB1409, still has the additional committees to go before. Whether wither bill makes it to their respective change for a final vote, is not known at this time. I will stay in constant contact with Bruce and report back to you on the status of these bills in the weeks ahead.

As I mentioned above, UPSA is working together with FSPA in Tallahassee to jointly achieve our goals regarding these bills. The legislature is fully aware of our industry’s position to both bills in their original forms. With a unified effort, Bruce and Jennifer are working tirelessly to show both the House and the Senate how important it is to understand ALL of the facts regarding safety in public pools and spas.

We are proud and appreciative of their efforts collectively “carry our message” to these legislators in this crusade, and hope that it will ultimately result in success for the Florida public pool industry in this session.

Mike Kelly, United Pool and Spa Association

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