Antique Week - News Article -
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Published on: 2/12/2007
Last Visited: 2/19/2007
Newly appointed 2007 MSAA President Mike Bliss presented the final report to convention goers Jan. 31-Feb. 3, noting during a luncheon awards banquet that the first of many steps have been taken to bring to light a viable and fair licensing procedure for auctioneers in Michigan.
"MSAA has been trying since 1958 to set this legislation into motion, and now we are on the other side of making viable connections and signing these bills into law," Bliss, who has headed the legislation committee for two years, said.The bills were signed on Dec. 22 by Gov.
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The ultimate end result, according to Bliss, is that people of indiscriminate backgrounds will soon be kept from invading "honest" auctioneers territory.
"This is a win, win situation," he said."Those of us who are following the rules and will continue to abide by Michigan mandates are the ones who will really prosper because our client base will not be tainted by those doing bad business deals."
The bills themselves came at a very crucial time; in December, 2005, there were proposals set to go to the House of Representatives for legislation that MSAA and others had to scramble to fight.The basic outlines of that legislation stated enacting a $100,000 bonding of every auctioneer, as well as a clause that stated that every piece set to be sold at auction had to be advertised.
Bills 603 and 604 are a far cry from that original proposal that died on the floor of the House; Bliss says that the new legislation is what the state really needs.
"Perseverance accounts for what we did.We heard negative comments throughout the process, but we just kept the car on the road and between the ditches, rolling.The end result is voluntary registration legislation that will hold auctioneers accountable for their actions, an increase in awareness and ethical behavior and ultimately, an offering of more services to the public."
The ideas at the basis of Bills 603 and 604 followed a long route to get a signature from Gov.Granholm; Bliss said that there are many to thank for the successful journey, starting with MSAA executive director Tricia Wiltjer.
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The registration bill, at this point, is voluntary, Bliss noted, however, at some point it will probably become mandatory.
"Ultimately we want to further the auction industry in Michigan," he said.
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"This really is nothing but an advantage for those who are registered with us because we will put the auctioneers name and information out there," Bliss said."MSAA is 100 percent dedicated to that cause."
The initial hard work is completed, however, advocates of this licensing change have their work cut out for them.
"Now begins the process of educating, educating, educating," Bliss said.
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