Minnesota Radon Rules Society would benefit if EVERY service provider were licensed and rigorously monitored and inspected. Tree trimmers, auto mechanics, garage door installers- the list is endless. Mistakes by any service provider could result in the death of a customer. Society would also benefit if the speed limit were 5 mph. Both ideas are of course ridiculous. Government regulations must balance benefit with cost. They must meet a “reasonableness standard”. Regulated citizens must agree that a regulation is needed and that the cost is acceptable.
In my opinion, the Minnesota law and rules overburden licensees and their clients and do not meet the “reasonableness standard”. I’m not alone. 47% of Minnesota’s NRPP certified mitigation contractors feel the law should be replaced with one that simply requires certification and compliance with ANSI/AARST standards. 19% feel the law should be repealed and not replaced. That’s 66% who don’t want the law.
Here is an example of the MDH rules Minnesota contractors have been fighting in court and at the capitol for five years:
D. An individual who fails to complete 8 hours of approved continuing education within 12 months after
the date on the last issued license may not renew the license. To qualify for a new license, the individual must successfully complete:
(1) an initial radon measurement training course required under subpart 2 and pass an examination
as specified in subpart 2; and
(2) an initial radon mitigation training course required under subpart 2 and pass an examination as
specified in subpart 2.
Yes, it really does say that. If you don’t submit your CE to MDH before your 12 month license expires, you’re going back through the week long initial training and exam process for measurement and mitigation.
In my opinion, a licensing law that meets the “reasonableness test” will have four and only four components:
1. It will require NRPP certification.
2. It will require annual evidence of workers comp and liability insurance.
3. It will have a “Citizens Hotline” to receive reports of violations of ANSI/AARST standards.
4. It will have an inspector to investigate reported violations with the ultimate power of fines and license revocation.
In my opinion, the Minnesota law and rules will cause smaller, affordable contractors to leave the business, reduce the number of new, affordable guys entering the business (we were all there once) and significantly increase the cost to all contractors. This will cause increased costs to consumers. The demand for radon mitigation is highly elastic. So; the increased cost to consumers will cause reduced demand for mitigation, (it’s a law of economics, not an opinion) which will cause an increase in lung cancer deaths. That’s the “cost” of a license law that does not meet the “reasonableness standard”. Dead people.