Significant Actions Taken at CAC?s 2010 Legal and Legislative Conference

The California Association of Collectors (CAC) held their annual Legal and Legislative Conference in Sacramento on April 12-14. During the three-day event, many significant strides were made. Highlights of the program and progress made include:

• During a five hour Legislative Council meeting, over 40 proposed pieces of legislation were reviewed and positions established. Among the legislation that was reviewed, the Council expressed its opposition to AB 2334 (Salas) which would prohibit the accrual of interest and fees (pre and post judgment) on all medical debt, and its opposition to SB 1117 (Walters) which if passed would tie the interest on judgments to the federal short-term rate plus 2%. The Council agreed to support two bills (SB 1111 and SB 1306), both of which would expressly authorize for various state agencies and boards to utilize third party collection agencies.

• Over 50 attendees visited the State Capitol and met with legislators and key staffers in over 80 legislative offices. Attendees educated legislators and staff on the collection industry in general and lobbied members on specific bills. A crowning moment came when CAC member Mel Shaw from USCB, Inc. and Rozanne Anderson, CEO of ACA, in a meeting with Senator Walters, explained the problems with SB 1117 (see above) and she agreed to immediately drop the bill. This exemplified the strength of a legislative program when supported by grassroots efforts.

• CAC was honored to welcome ACA’s CEO, Rozanne Anderson and PR Director, Mark Schiffman. In addition to adding a national perspective on several issues, Rozanne was one of our distinguished judges during the scholarship banquet.

• Culminating a competition in which 922 applications and essays were submitted to CAC for its 5th Annual Scholarship program, the three finalists presented their essays to a panel of distinguished judges. The finalists received scholarships in the amount of $2,500 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,500 for third place. Since the program’s inception in 2005, CAC has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to California high school seniors. Immediately following the reading of the essays, the members who attended were so moved that they quickly raised another $5,000 to support the future success of the program.

• During a Special Meeting of the Membership, CAC members voted to pass a Bylaw amendment (unanimously with two abstentions) to allow for direct line membership to CAC. After a close study and legal review, and in consultation with ACA, it was determined that this bylaw change is permissible under ACA Bylaws. This action in no way should be construed as diminishing the mutually beneficial and interdependent relationship that the California Unit of ACA (CAC) and ACA International enjoy.

• The membership voted to contribute $15,000 to ACA in support of its effort to oppose the current proposal before the FCC which would severely limit member’s ability to communicate with debtor consumers via cell phones when using a dialer.

• CAC honored Assemblyman Mike Eng as Legislator of the Year. Eng’s efforts on behalf of all Californians and in particular small business are exemplary and notable. The Assemblyman is currently carrying AB 953 on behalf of CAC which reestablishes access to DMV records on a limited basis.

• The L&L Conference kicked off with a PAC fundraiser and networking event. It provided an opportunity for members to visit and catch up in a relaxed atmosphere while benefitting the CAC PAC.

In three short days, progress was made in a variety of areas, thanks to the hard work and dedication of many CAC members. The one common denominator to all of the activities was providing value and benefits to help CAC members protect and promote the collection industry in California and nationally.

CAC is a non-profit association that represents over 300 third-party collection agencies throughout the state. CAC’s mission is to promote, stimulate, increase and improve the educational, social, economic and ethical welfare of the California collection industry and the public it serves. For more information go to www.calcollectors.net or call CAC at (916) 929-2125.