As the PAA continues to review and respond to legislative concerns expressed with regard to online platforms for auctions and auction-related activities, it is important that we remain consistent in our understanding of the issue under consideration. Where we find ourselves at present originated some months ago when certain specific complaints were filed with the State Board of Auctioneer Examiners. As a result of the Board following through with enforcement efforts in response to these complaints, the issue that concerns what types of electronic auction activities should be regulated and how they should be regulated has come to the attention of legislators in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Senator Rob Wonderling has introduced Senate Bill 908 which would fully exempt such activities from regulation under our current Licensing Act. Representative Michael Sturla, in the House, is preparing to introduce legislation that would not grant a complete exemption.

At the moment, there are two principal stakeholders in this process. We use the word stakeholder to mean interested persons or groups who have a vital interest in the final outcome of this legislative matter. The PAA is a principal stakeholder on one side of the issue, and companies who offer online auction services, such as eBay, are principal stakeholders on the other side of the issue.

In an effort to see if there is a reasonable way to work out differences, Rep. Sturla has encouraged these stakeholders to get together and see if an agreement can be reached as to how these online auction activities should be regulated. To date, an initial meeting between the PAA and eBay interests has been held.

Rep. Sturla has made it clear on several different occasions that he is committed to opening our licensing law for this purpose and this purpose only. Further, Rep. Sturla intends to introduce legislation on this matter in the fall of this year.

At present, there are no other side or collateral issues being raised by either of these legislators or any one else that we know of. It is important not to raise other issues because they are not relevant to the current task at hand. Senate Bill 908, which is what we are expressing our opposition to, concerns only the exemption of online auction platforms from regulation under our licensing law.

Both Senator Wonderling and Rep. Sturla have indicated a willingness to listen to both sides of this issue over the summer and into the fall. The PAA is actively engaged in communication with both, and we want to report to both State and Chapter Officers as well as the entire membership on our progress. PAA President Sandy Brittingham is actively involved in this process. Back in May, she appointed a Legislative Committee, chaired by Bob Clinton of the Lehigh Valley, who is also actively involved.

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Sandy or Bob for additional information and support. Here is their contact information:

Sandy Brittingham
cell phone: 412-582-3427
e-mail: sandy@rittenhouseauction.com
fax: 724-677-2884

Bob Clinton
cell phone: 610-570-2488
e-mail: rhclintonauction@hotmail.com
fax: 610-847-2536.