APAC: MBREA’s political action committee - by Allan Cohen

Allan Cohen, City of Newton

Cubs’ World Series tickets: $2,500. Front row for Beyoncé: $1,000. Trip to Mars: $1 million. How about a $25 donation to APAC, MBREA’s political action committee? Each is a fun or worthy investment, but only the Appraisers Political Action Committee delivers an on-going commitment of advocacy for the appraisal profession.

APAC was set up in 2013 with a goal of resources to attend events held by state legislators and elected officials. Since then, APAC and MBREA have been invited to meet legislative leadership at every level. And it’s not just “Hi, How are you? Thanks for coming!” Instead, MBREA’s Steve Sousa and appraisers have received a warm welcome in many circles and corridors within the State House.

Establishing an active government affairs committee enabled MBREA to advise the board of registration on key concepts within revising appraiser regulations, writing the state’s new AMC pending legislation, getting a favorable vote in the Senate for bill S131, which says only an appraiser may call their work an appraisal, and getting a yes from the House on bill H269, which brings consumers and complainants into the same time frame for record keeping as appraisers. In other words, a complaint cannot be started eight years down the road when the appraiser is no longer required to maintain that work file. When MBREA, enabled by a contribution from APAC, met with governor Baker in October, the governor was well versed on DPL’s progress on Executive Order 562, To Reduce Unnecessary Regulatory Burden. Remarkably, governor Baker knew the issues and was grateful for MBREA’s input. So too was Chuck Borstel, executive director of the Division of Professional Licensure.

As many ideas and suggestions that you, MBREA and MA-RI AI have for improving appraisal regulations; there are an equal number of hoops, hearings, pols, and lawyers to encounter and convince. The simplest change, e.g. moving licensing from three-year to two-year cycles with fees and education requirements altered accordingly, took about five years to enact. A smart change, sun setting 2008-2010 disciplines for attending USPAP on the wrong day, is taking forever. We move forward; MBREA, powered by APAC, continues to make the necessary telephone calls, send out the emails, and visit the State House to promote change.

Governor Baker promised change and his first package arrived last week in the form of new regulations for appraisers. DPL’s Board of Registration issued a substantially new set of appraiser regulations. See the state’s web site. Ordinances affecting our appraisal profession are better written today and easier to understand. Governor Baker said he wanted simplicity, Borstel said it would be done, and MBREA worked with board staff to clarify language and make your life a little easier.

When we have success, the common thread has been face to face meetings. With financial support to APAC, appraisers have a voice at the table. Get on board; support your profession. Appraisers Political Action Committee welcomes personal donations only and your participation. Visit APAC online to contribute at appraiserspac.org or send your personal check payable to AppraisersPAC c/o MBREA, 55 Court Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02108.

Allan Cohen is a certified general real estate appraiser and assistant assessor for the city of Newton, Mass.