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Rowdy Gaines Joins PHTA as Vice President of Partnerships & Development
PHTA is proud to announce that Rowdy Gaines will be the new Vice President of Partnerships & Development, starting in January 2021.
Gaines joins PHTA with impressive achievements both in and out of the swimming pool. As a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, he has also been inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame and International Swimming Hall of Fame. Today he is known as the “Voice of Swimming” and will be commentating at his eighth Olympics broadcast for NBC during the Tokyo 2021 Games.
Gaines also serves as an ambassador for the sport of swimming. He is a vocal advocate of learn-to-swim programs and shares the importance of swimming safety with children, parents, and coaches around the world. While leading the USA Swimming Foundation, he raised over $50 million and developed the Make a Splash initiative.
At PHTA, Gaines will be responsible for the Step Into Swim Program, continuing his work of creating more swimmers and more enthusiasm for the aquatic industry. He will also work on partnerships and business development, as well as serve as a spokesperson for PHTA.
"I am so incredibly excited to join the PHTA family," says Gaines. "The past 30 years of my life has been dedicated to educating families on how to be safe in and around water. I look forward to working with our members on this mission and to remind everyone that the water is something we can enjoy for a lifetime and respect along the way."
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New Consumer Website — SplashFacts.org — is Live!
PHTA is excited to announce that its consumer-facing website, SplashFacts.org, is now live!
The intent of the site is to provide consumers with the resources they need when considering the installation of a pool or when purchasing a hot tub. We've included a list of questions to ask potential builders; things to make sure to consider when buying a hot tub; maintenance best practices; and a timeline of the process to help manage expectations. And, most importantly, we direct consumers to our members with our professional locator. Additionally, we will be adding a section on water safety to this site in the coming weeks.
Our marketing campaign will include online advertising, content marketing, and outreach to mainstream media outlets.
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Fiberlite Umbrellas provide stress-free shade. These customizable umbrellas will never warp, rot or rust – even directly in the pool – thanks to a patented, all-fiberglass frame design, solid ribs, marine-grade fabric and an industry-best, five-year warranty. Cabanas, pavilions and pool accessories also available. 100% Made in the USA.
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COMING SOON: PHTA Community Platform
PHTA will be launching a new online community and toolkit for our members by the end of the year.
What does this mean for you? You will be able to:
- Find and connect with other PHTA members
- Network with colleagues in other states and across the globe
- Participate in discussions
- Gain access to digital resources
- Share knowledge
- And so much more!
We'll be sending you more information before the end of the year.
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.EDUCATION
Recreation Facilities Webinar Available in Archives
If you missed last week's webinar, you can access the materials in the archives. This webinar reviewed scoping and technical provisions for recreation facilities in the ADA and ABA Accessibility Standards (Chapter 10), addressing requirements for amusement rides, recreational boating facilities, exercise machines and equipment, fishing piers and platforms, golf facilities, miniature golf facilities, play areas, swimming pools, wading pools, and spas, shooting facilities with fixed firing positions, and sports facilities.
Presenters addressed common sources of confusion and frequently asked questions about these provisions. The webinar series is hosted by the ADA National Network in cooperation with the Board.
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.ADVOCACY
COVID-19 Updates
Michigan: This measure requires an employee who tests positive or comes into close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 to stay home. Status: Hearing held on 12/2.
Georgia: This order extends Governor Brian Kemp's (R) previous executive order for empowering a healthy Georgia in response to COVID-19.
Mississippi: The Governor updated The Safe Recovery Order, which describes the health and safety guidelines for all Mississippi residents and businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Colorado: This measure relates to exemptions from orders requiring businesses to close.
Delaware: This order extends the state of emergency and all of its modifications.
Ohio: This measure would require paid leave for an employee who is unable to work due to quarantine or mandatory isolation, to create a grant program to compensate contract workers who cannot perform services during public health emergencies, to make an appropriation, and to declare an emergency. Status: Hearing held on 12/1.
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Waterco’s award winning MultiCyclone is a brilliant revolutionary filtration device that works on the basis of centrifugal water filtration. It captures 80% of the dirt load before it ever reaches the media filter and is designed with no moving parts and no filter media to clean or replace.
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Protector for the vendor in the pool and hot-tub industry! RBS Planet, Inc. will market your products and product lines through our established network. We would welcome the opportunity to show you how RBS Planet, Inc. can benefit your company by becoming part of your sales force.
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COVID-19 Liability
Colorado: This measure concerns civil immunity for small businesses that comply with applicable guidelines related to COVID-19. Status: Introduced on 11/30.
Pennsylvania: This measure provides for COVID-19 related liability protections for school and child care facilities, manufacturers, distributors, labelers, and donors of personal protective equipment, businesses and government services, and covered providers. Status: Vetoed by Governor.
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COVID-19 Relief Aid
After months of disagreement, a deal will likely be reached on a narrow COVID-19 relief package. A $908 billion proposal from a bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers has been endorsed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Even though Majority Leader McConnell has floated his own plan, it appears that this bipartisan measure will have meaningful support.
While legislative text won't be finished until next week, here's what we know is in the $908 billion bill:
- Aid to state and local governments ($160 billion)
- Additional unemployment benefits ($180 billion)
- Small business aid ($288 billion) and community lenders aid ($12 billion)
- Funding for broadband ($10 billion), airlines ($17 billion), the post office ($10 billion) and other transportation ($28 billion)
- Rental assistance ($25 billion), hospital aid ($35 billion), food and farm aid ($26 billion)
- Child care ($10 billion) and education ($82 billion)
Notably, there is no additional funding for individual stimulus checks, nor is there blanket liability relief for entities like businesses and universities; instead, there is a six-month moratorium on liability cases to give states time to legislate the issue, though negotiations are fluid and are continuing at a high level.
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The proven alternative filter media — over 20 years of success with tens of thousands of installations throughout the world.
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Spa Electrics are the leading manufacturer of premium underwater LED lights. Introducing our award winning Atom Series, available for concrete, fiberglass and vinyl pools.The Atom features innovative solutions for installation and servicing. Powerful in performance, the ATOM Series can be used to illuminate even the largest pools with ease.
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Legislative Updates
New Hampshire: A legislative request has been made to prefile a bill that would establish a committee to study regulations for private pool safety.
Arkansas: This measure creates "Alex's Law" to improve the safety of residential swimming pools and prevent child drownings by requiring owners to construct safety barriers around pools. Status: Filed.
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Regulatory Updates
Oklahoma: The state adopted rules incorporating newer versions of the ICC I-Codes into the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC). This includes the 2018 International Building Code. The state-specific amendments to Chapter 31, Special Construction, do not include state-specific amendments to Section 3109, Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs. The rules also incorporate the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) into the OAC. The electrical infrastructure of pools falls under NEC Article 680. Like with other kinds of electrical infrastructure, Article 680 lays out the requirements for safe installation and accessibility of electrical equipment, but it also lays out requirements meant to avoid the electrification of water. The 2017 NEC includes several updates to Article 680's provisions on pool feeder wiring (680.25) and hydromassage tub bonding (680.74). The Oklahoma rules incorporate these without changes, but they ban the use of any underwater luminaries above the voltage limit set in 680.2, which is lower than the voltage limit allowed specifically for luminaries in the original 2017 NEC 680.23.
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.THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
PLATINUM PARTNERS
GOLD PARTNERS
| MEDIA PARTNER |
NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH PARTNER |
AFFILIATES
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7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063
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