L10.21.1 Occupational Licensing Reform Act

[Esteemed Jimmy]

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Sponsor: Jimmy7812

I open the floor for debate. The sponsor has 36 hours to argue in favor of this bill.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Lincoln citizens should not be required to be licensed for certain occupations, which will allow for more workers to find jobs.

[Sirius_]

I'm fine with most of these but body piercing concerns me. I imagine that you could actually harm someone if you don't know what you're doing so I'd prefer that they remain licensed.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

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[Mr. Reactionary]

I'm fine with most of these but body piercing concerns me. I imagine that you could actually harm someone if you don't know what you're doing so I'd prefer that they remain licensed.

THIS IS LITERALLY FASCISM!!!

[Sirius_]

I'm fine with most of these but body piercing concerns me. I imagine that you could actually harm someone if you don't know what you're doing so I'd prefer that they remain licensed.

THIS IS LITERALLY FASCISM!!!

SAFETY IS FASCISM!!!

[Wells]

We should make it mandatory for workers to disclose whether or not they have a license to their customers at least.

[Sirius_]

We should make it mandatory for workers to disclose whether or not they have a license to their customers at least.

So licenses are still available under this bill?

[Sirius_]

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I agree with Wells on that.

[Wells]

I believe the sponsor has not yet said whether the above is a friendly amendment. I like it, but what is his opinion?

[Mr. Reactionary]

I believe the sponsor has not yet said whether the above is a friendly amendment. I like it, but what is his opinion?

My opinion is that the typo should be edited out of the amendment first.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

The amendment is friendly.

[Sirius_]

This bill will require a new sponsor.

[Dr. MB]

This bill increases individual freedom and slashes unnecessary regulations. I support it.

[JGibson]

This bill increases individual freedom and slashes unnecessary regulations. I support it.

I second those statements, so I will be supporting the bill.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

I’ll proudly be vetoing this bill if it should pass for the following reasons:
-Section 2 is too unclear; who exactly would decide what professions fit this definition and would occupations not listed in section 3 be unlicensed as well.
-An untrained Massage therapists and athletic trainer could severely harm their client if they don’t know what their doing.
-Several of these jobs involve highly technical skills and thus it’s wise if the occupants require some sort of training and certification before doing their job.
-For several of these occupations the licence requirement is not overly onerous or costly so I’m not sure how eliminating these regulations helps anyone that much.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I'm fine with most of these but body piercing concerns me. I imagine that you could actually harm someone if you don't know what you're doing so I'd prefer that they remain licensed.

The same could be said for athletic trainers as well.

[Former Lincoln Assemblyman & Lt. Gov. RGN]

I’ll proudly be vetoing this bill if it should pass for the following reasons:
-Section 2 is too unclear; who exactly would decide what professions fit this definition and would occupations not listed in section 3 be unlicensed as well.
-An untrained Massage therapists and athletic trainer could severely harm their client if they don’t know what their doing.
-Several of these jobs involve highly technical skills and thus it’s wise if the occupants require some sort of training and certification before doing their job.
-For several of these occupations the licence requirement is not overly onerous or costly so I’m not sure how eliminating these regulations helps anyone that much.

I'm leaning against.

[Mr. Reactionary]

If vetoed, I hope the Governor proudly campaigns on making it more difficult for the poor to find jobs.

[Pragmatic Conservative]

If vetoed, I hope the Governor proudly campaigns on making it more difficult for the poor to find jobs.

Most licences are not overly costly like a few hundred dollars so it’s not exactly like eliminating licences would really make these industries more accessible for poorer individuals. Also consider operating in many of these industries cost more then the licence fee.

[Mr. Reactionary]

If vetoed, I hope the Governor proudly campaigns on making it more difficult for the poor to find jobs.

Most licences are not overly costly like a few hundred dollars so it’s not exactly like eliminating licences would really make these industries more accessible for poorer individuals. Also consider operating in many of these industries cost more then the licence fee.

Costs go beyond the mere cost of the license certificate. Most require training courses from for-profit groups which push costs up over a grand (which IS a significant barrier if you are poor and trying to better your lot) and force the poor workers to take more time off work for often redundant training. Many Occupational Licensing groups categorically disqualify felons from applying, and disproportionately force minorities, immigrants, women, and other disadvantaged groups out of work. Obama and Clinton understood the need to strangle the cartel making that is occupational licensing. Big incumbents pricing out smaller, poorer, newer market entrants is an unfair trade practice IMO and I see no reason to continue to institutionalize the rich at the expense of the poor seeking to move upwards. If a worker is bad at the job, they wont get business; no need to throw a bunch on red tape in the way.

Plus, while it wasn't discussed in this thread, federal courts have found occupational licensing schemes for tour guides, teeth whitening, and hair braiding as illegal recently.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

As a citizen, I think this bill should be tabled until the assembly can come up with a better version that achieves the original goal of the bill.

[Wells]

I was going to say something but it looks like this bill is dead. I know that there is hope that they do something, but let's face it, it's not going to happen.

So while the bill itself is good and the bill had few issues, it's gone. Quite sad.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Sadly the anti-worker administration in Lincoln wants to institutionalize high cost barriers to entry for poor workers.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

I am returning this bill to the floor.