Chris Reynolds on SB984 Matters

President's Message-Update on SB-984,Hollingsworth.
PICA Lobbying Matter
Members:

I want to update you on the progress of SB984-Hollingsworth, a bill that significantly restricts service ofprocess of a summons and complaint in California. This bill will impact every process server and private investigator in California and it could lead to an extension of the same principles to subpoenas and other services we deliver every day.

CALI and CALSPro have joined together to lobby against SB-984. Senator Hollingsworth has been an active supporter of many CALI initiatives and this bill was something unexpected; however we have aggressively challenged the bill. Many of our members are registered process servers and this allegiance with CALSPro seemed logical and appropriate. Jerry Desmond, (CALI lobbyist) and Mike Belote (lobbyist for CALSPro) have been diligently working to modify or defeat the bill before it becomes law. CALI and CALSPro members sent dozens of opposition letters to Sen. Hollingsworth. Other organizations also opposed the bill and it appeared as if we were on the brink of convincing the Senator not to move it forward. In fact, an aide for Senator Hollingsworth even advised us in writing that the Senator decided he was not going to pursue SB984.

Unfortunately, the Senator and his aide received several personal attack emails from PICA board member and Legislative Chair (Rick von Geldern). I sent several emails to PICA officials asking for their help. One email from the same PICA board member and Legislative Chair was sent even after CALI registered a complaint with PICA board members and asked that their Legislative Chair cease and desist damaging the hard work put forth to defeat SB984.

The first email from PICA's Legislative Chair, entitled, "Did Senator Hollingsworth Take His Meds Today?” included a person attack on Senator Hollingsworth's wife and a reference to his top aide as his "sidekick.” The second email from PICA's Legislative Chair, entitled, "Bride of Frankenstein” (a reference to the Senator's wife) also was an unprofessional personal attack and did not address any legitimate issues of SB984.

On August 5, 2010 Laurie Paredes, the consultant to Senator Hollingsworth sent an email to CALI and CALSPro, in which she made it clear that prior to the attack emails by the PICA Legislative Chair, the Senator had decided "not to move SB984." Because of the very personal nature of the attack on the wife of Senator Hollingsworth, he changed his mind and decided to keep pursuing the bill to the Senate Floor. We still disagree with SB-984, but cannot condone the behavior that led the Senator to change his mind.
I immediately reached out to PICA leadership and asked them to involve themselves in the process and consider an apology for the remarks. Rather than apologize, the PICA Leg Chair sent a second email (Bride of Frankenstein) with a reference to the first insulting email.

I spoke with the President of CALSPro, Steve Janney. He also had a personal conversation with the PICA Leg Chair and said he advised him that if his goal was to kill the bill he would need to apologize. Mr. Janney advised that CALSPro's lobbyist, Mike Belote, also believed PICA and Mr. von Geldern were impeding any chance to stop the bill and only a personal contact from PICA leadership could help get this matter back on track. The PICA Leg Chair said that any apology from him would "never happen,” (according to Mr. Janney).

As you know, much of the legislation to restrict licensed investigators started with misperceptions about who we are and how we conduct legitimate investigations. It has taken years to legitimize our profession in the eyes of our legislators. Having a leader of a statewide association act in such an inappropriate and unprofessional manner only reinforces the negative image we have fought so hard to change in Sacramento. How can our elected officials not think it's necessary to pass laws to restrict our activities when association leaders can't be trusted to act with dignity and respect towards our elected officials?

CALI and CALSPro sent personal letters to the Senator apologizing on behalf of investigators and process servers in California and asked that he not let the remarks of the PICA Legislative Chair be representative of the rest of the hard working professionals in California. Despite two days of requests and pleas to PICA, I received an official notification from PICA President David Herrera on August 6, 2010 that claimed Mr. Herrera not only supported the actions of his legislative chair, but that those actions were "my wishes” and they were followed correctly. According to Mr. Herrera:
"Rick has only carried out my wishes, and has done an excellent job in doing so. I've stated it before and will continue to state -"I back Rick 100%!"
CALI, and many others in this profession, including the association of registered process servers (CALSPro) denounce personal attack lobbying; it is guaranteed to damage our relationships in Sacramento. When we approach a Republican Senator in the future, you can be assured PICA's conduct and behavior will be remembered, will rub off on everyone, and will lead to the creation of more laws that are detrimental to our businesses.

CALI condemns the actions of PICA and their legislative chair and once again calls for PICA to apologize to Senator Hollingsworth and his aide and resume lobbying in a professional and productive manner. Private Investigators deserve to be represented with dignity and have their leaders act respectfully towards everyone, regardless of whether or not a legislator writes a bill we oppose!

I will keep you advised of any further progress on SB984. It is my hope that CALI and CALSPro's lobbying and our strong personal commitment will still carry the day and cause the bill to fail on its merits. A copy of my letter to Senator Hollingsworth can be found on CALI's website at www.cali-pi.org.

Chris Reynolds
CALI President 2010-11