Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association (PAA)
Position on Electronic Auctions

1. We oppose as written Senate Bill 908 introduced by Senator Wonderling to exempt online trading platforms from regulation. We are actively working with him to discuss possible amendments to revise SB 908.

2. We are working with Representative Mike Sturla and representatives from eBay to develop consensus legislation that will regulate brokers of property consigned to them for sale.

3. We are NOT trying to regulate individuals selling their own property using online trading platforms and electronic auctions. Rep. Sturla plans to introduce legislation on this subject later this fall.

4. We support regulating electronic auction brokers because they are engaged in auction activities - but not in a traditional manner. Therefore, we propose to limit the requirements for their becoming licensed.

5. We seek to provide a level playing field for any person or business engaged in auction activities in how they conduct their business and how the public and consumers of these services are treated and protected.

6. We are requesting legislators to support reasonable regulation of electronic auctions and to remain open-minded for receipt of further information as it becomes available in the next few weeks.

For further information contact:

Jay Layman with Capital Associates, Inc. - the Harrisburg public affairs consultants for the PAA - 717.257.2538 or layman@capitalassoc.com
Position Paper prepared September 28, 2007



PAA Held Successful and Productive Day on Capitol Hill
October 2, 2007

PAA members, with the help and assistance of Capital Associates, the public affairs consultant for the PAA, and Representative Mark Keller (licensed auctioneer, PAA member and PA House of Representatives member), held a successful 'Day on Capitol Hill' on October 2, 2007.

The PAA sponsored a breakfast for House and Senate leadership, key legislators, staff, and committee people to meet with the PAA Board of Directors, PAA Legislative Committee, PAA PAC Committee, and other interested PAA members.

The breakfast was the kickoff event for the day's activities which focused on sharing information about the auction profession in general with Pennsylvania legislators and the developing issue of Internet-based auction activities in the Commonwealth.

Approximately three dozen legislators and others attended the event.

The PAA group took a guided tour of the Capitol and was introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Click Here for photo of those in attendance.


 
Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association
P. O. Box 299 * Elysburg, PA 17824
800-577-6801 * Fax: 570-672-9618
E-Mail: info@paauctioneers.org