[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6563278,"mediaKeyId","3230829-60a950d331d061af3e044b2e39444eea","parentId",3230829,"title","CSLB hires Sacramento State researcher to study online false advertising and unlicensed contracting","audioSeconds",169,"startMs",3362000,"endMs",3531000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230829-60a950d331d061af3e044b2e39444eea&start=3362&end=3531","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230829-60a950d331d061af3e044b2e39444eea/thumbnail_3362000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6563278/California/CSLB-hires-Sacramento-State-researcher-to-study-online-false-advertising-and-unlicensed-contracting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563278-e0989884a53317da78d4ba7252267553/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150767&Signature=NdcZJ4bVg55MVc-6ujZiFtFoQCqCg-mUTggV~D8kXbhgkPD2aRnQtdVYrVYgpNlXPM4KRGVAY-hXceC~dxDop5C9L59scJ2Xo0DwWGFAToFLqQObwLhj2~V8eRup4kOX46pHjZJkonCsAUhYNzSrw0IWg7S~2TKPAdUt8pBxL2pm4E-ypWUe91TQu~cZVikzJCXbpCACgCxJ5V62UeJ3hGq-eembk9tyv25JpsNV5Nyig~I~s5GAyb-MsWfFs2-g6UCsBiQk1BrwXJxkxRiOZLp9vxhx7gpdE3MiC0HlLjghIhiGllCrSeKr2CRt0k~b~oZdsGyfWoe0ABQ~n-XvuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Contractors State License Board","date","2025-05-08T16:48:10.593Z","article","At the April 11, 2025 Enforcement Committee meeting, CSLB enforcement staff described an upcoming contract with Sacramento State University's Population Research Center (PRC) to study illegal advertising and the prevalence of unlicensed contracting in California.

Enforcement staff said the study will identify how much illegal online advertising exists, the methods used and the geographic areas where it is most prevalent. PRC will develop an electronic consumer survey in English and Spanish for CSLB review, analyze CSLB internal and external data (including business licenses and county permits) and prepare an electronic report of findings and recommendations.

Staff said the contract was developed in coordination with the Department of Consumer Affairs and is expected to be executed on or before May 15. The study will analyze CSLB internal data sources including enforcement data and the SWIFT system and will identify recommendations on resources needed to address unlicensed activity. The final report of the study is anticipated to be completed \"by February,\" according to staff; no year was specified during the presentation.

Committee members did not take action on the contract during the virtual meeting; staff invited members and the public to provide input for the survey tools and indicated the study's findings will inform future outreach and enforcement strategies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CSLB Committee Meetings 4-11-2025 Part 2 of 3","oneSentenceSummary","CSLB staff described a planned statewide study with Sacramento State University's Population Research Center to map unlicensed contracting, survey consumers in English and Spanish, and recommend resource needs; staff expects a final report by February (date unspecified).","taxTitle","Contractors State License Board, Other State Agencies, Executive, California","taxId",76729,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6563283,"Arbitration provider tells CSLB arbitration average award turnaround is 41 days; asks to raise voluntary limits",721,2473000,3194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230829-60a950d331d061af3e044b2e39444eea&start=2473&end=3194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230829-60a950d331d061af3e044b2e39444eea/thumbnail_2473000.jpg","/articles/6563283/California/Arbitration-provider-tells-CSLB-arbitration-average-award-turnaround-is-41-days-asks-to-raise-voluntary-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563283-89cfa394fcbdd9825349ad97b1c75a6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138878&Signature=LNTj17NySzpAZt~Ypt4gwy7rkfnKheFBf7LXGkBAiCGAD2gFfI12LYpUDEXd8SJLzAUAMjrbfF7WNb8mh3WCS~eQIuBr9QvATRWgawrTxObAgwKrgyMRk-XbsMfcvV16gjI-70fLKQCCInCedo4T6zvJNn8j7xVJdBJ5h7weXhv8A7t2axOve6F1ibL~OA~yNeFJy0s-ncEylM1BlRLuVWku90ePY~62wGMI8SfUDYIXwtI78s3KoQhk9YDRqsnt-eMm~6cfYup8yLDcr-QqH8ZwW11FQeiw7iupalZzaUfOAUYyd9-dRPgiWV7Gk9T~2HtN9Xf7fcIkspyyMRpThg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 11, 2025 Contractors State License Board Enforcement Committee meeting, Karen Smith, identified as president of MCC Arbitration Mediation and Affiliation Center, described the CSLB arbitration program, its performance metrics and suggested changes.

Smith said the provider handled about 410 awards in 2024 and that the total amount awarded that year was close to $5 million, noting that arbitration outcomes are not the same as enforcement restitution. \"One of the stats we are most proud of is that there is currently a 41 day turnaround ... from when we get the case in our doors and when we turn around an award,\" Smith said.

She described mandatory arbitration (tied to a bond limit currently set at $25,000) and voluntary arbitration (awards up to $50,000, with both parties' agreement). Smith said the program uses remote hearings, accepts electronic filings and sends evaluation forms after hearings; she reported a 4.8-out-of-5 average evaluation score for the program.

Smith urged the CSLB to consider raising voluntary arbitration limits (currently $50,000) to a higher figure, suggesting a goal of $100,000 to keep more disputes in the arbitration program and reduce litigation costs for homeowners and contractors.

Committee members praised the program and asked staff to consider outreach and education so more consumers learn about arbitration as a lower-cost alternative to court. No formal action was taken during the meeting.","The contractors board’s arbitration provider reported a 41-day average turnaround from filing to award, about 410 awards in 2024 and recommended raising voluntary award limits from $50,000 to $100,000 and increasing outreach about the program.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6563286,"Homeowners, advocates press CSLB for faster fraud response, bilingual outreach and coordinated legal teams",2920,770000,3690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230829-60a950d331d061af3e044b2e39444eea&start=770&end=3690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230829-60a950d331d061af3e044b2e39444eea/thumbnail_770000.jpg","/articles/6563286/California/Homeowners-advocates-press-CSLB-for-faster-fraud-response-bilingual-outreach-and-coordinated-legal-teams","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563286-b40c400c981f227a427955d609fdcfcf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150767&Signature=Z-wa2WWmm~oS360o2u6~L0Au6vRM-M3z6Nds4GmBhgg8KO-imhugBFMCmb1LPls-GVuJBw3syzNIGY5fsJ1fU1o~eh82TLLO4I6Pkargfikzby0InW~18vFnmPy6WJKDsEWDZ2oHQZgZTwnGtlmGnczQshvMpBTuHqtDyHKBsN-7hFthq983LdwqyvZuGhQt86Q4seVRttdqdY~nGTGidusRHPI-xovF-4OehLoo-iuB~7xgO5Ho3BQZ1mEb43JKR16p46PsNTUhYkJgel0a1FcigTdGWfdwL8MKrP3WtQMJ5BWsx6N5XdbIoOVKiTEB4YJ3t5Ku1M43nTIIpnAlzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the April 11, 2025 Contractors State License Board Enforcement Committee meeting, multiple members of the public urged faster investigations, improved communication with victims and coordinated legal responses to large-scale contractor fraud.

Andrea Montano, a public commenter, told the committee she supports \"strengthening partnerships with the district attorney's offices\" and recommended \"coordinated civil and criminal enforcement\" along with a \"rapid response legal assistance team\" to help victims in mass-fraud cases. Montano also urged development of a \"priority fraud, mass prevention framework\" that would triage cases where homeowners face severe financial harm.

Roy Porter, who identified himself as a complainant and provided complaint number 24006315, said his case was filed in October and that the investigation timeline has been slow. \"It's taking too long to get investigations going,\" Porter said, adding the delay had increased his legal costs.

Aida (identified as Ida in the record), a member of the Alliance of California Community Empowerment who said she and other families were victims of a contractor named BDD Construction Inc., asked why investigations and contact with victims take so long and urged more culturally competent, bilingual investigator resources. In the meeting she stated her group's losses in a way that suggested several million dollars were at stake and said the case in her family was filed in 2021.

Other commenters — including a former contractor who described losing business after being harmed by other contractors — called for closer scrutiny of the RMO (responsible managing officer) process and for tougher bonding requirements, saying weak oversight of RMOs can enable fraud where an unqualified individual operates under another person's license.

Speakers recommended specific tools for faster relief, including an emergency asset preservation order to prevent dissipation of funds, business-continuity support for affected subcontractors, and a cross-jurisdictional task force so responses across county lines are consistent. Committee staff and legal counsel said public comments would be forwarded to enforcement staff for further review and follow-up.

The committee did not take formal action during the meeting; public commenters requested follow-up and additional outreach and investigation resources.","Public commenters at the April 11 meeting urged the CSLB to speed investigations, improve communication with victims, add bilingual outreach, and pursue coordinated civil-criminal responses to mass-fraud contractor cases.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6563291,"CSLB enforcement division reports 9,317 complaints, plans to expand multiple-offender unit",425,1649000,2074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230829-60a950d331d061af3e044b2e39444eea&start=1649&end=2074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230829-60a950d331d061af3e044b2e39444eea/thumbnail_1649000.jpg","/articles/6563291/California/CSLB-enforcement-division-reports-9317-complaints-plans-to-expand-multiple-offender-unit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563291-12e63bf2ee46ab2ca59d70a21b91d637/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150767&Signature=duOxfrWgJgTV5tge3Fp4Sid7JXMgOMiXobwQOUjetpnJ6o1uuNz9ynP1mhhnXlyRpflWSADkDUXiowT5XGcxUnHPDyYXsmY~fbW7yfKle6SD2E96gjuAteIcZl6P8rHqPcx2jrCmK2GJMv50oLNIhbKdgRUqYNEUAFT~y-T7TZS9vO2M7O~6GqGv3tnt0~76eVqd0je7meRfb9cD9LbgwEWVM0LB9AytxGUD0JBVmR3T4NQMj7b56VtjQQkqTXSzaimgIXHU35WiWI0RgOrCE4NjXF9NMUoQyi4BUonMOq2kCDW1heDLmRU-8OZh0IBf1ZVfr13iP1cpMqPmBAR3Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On April 11, 2025, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) Enforcement Committee received an update from Enforcement Chief Steve Grove on complaint volumes, enforcement outcomes and planned staffing changes.

Grove said the enforcement division received 9,317 complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors since July 1, 2024, and reported that intake and mediation staff helped recover $11,743,932 in restitution for consumers so far this fiscal year.

The update outlined how complaints are handled: many non-egregious licensee matters are settled at two Intake Mediation Centers; unresolved licensee complaints move to one of 10 investigation centers; and the most serious cases are referred for administrative or criminal action. Grove said about 4,245 complaints were assigned to CSLB special investigators this fiscal year and that the current average investigator caseload is 37 cases.

Grove described the Multiple Offender Unit (MOU), created in late 2023 to target contractors with numerous open complaints. He said contractors with 10 or more open complaints currently are routed directly to the MOU; the unit has handled roughly 1,359 complaints to date, closed 772 and has 587 pending. The MOU has led to accusations against 22 licensees (covering 84 consumer complaints) and, Grove said, 23% of those 22 licensees have had licenses revoked.

Grove also announced three additional analyst positions for the MOU and said hiring interviews will begin next week. With those hires, he said CSLB will \"soon be able to begin referring contractors with 5 or more open complaints\" rather than the current 10-complaint threshold.

The committee did not take votes during the virtual meeting; Grove framed the presentation as an informational update and invited committee questions.

Grove concluded that the MOU has recently broadened its focus beyond solar to include accessory dwelling unit work, reflecting changing priorities in enforcement.

The committee chair, Rodney Cobos, and enforcement staff indicated the office will follow up with members and the public about staffing and MOU workload as hiring proceeds.","At the April 11, 2025 Enforcement Committee meeting, CSLB enforcement staff reported complaint volumes, restitution totals and plans to lower the threshold for referral to its Multiple Offender Unit after hiring three analysts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CSLB hires Sacramento State researcher to study online false advertising and unlicensed contracting

Arbitration provider tells CSLB arbitration average award turnaround is 41 days; asks to raise voluntary limits

Homeowners, advocates press CSLB for faster fraud response, bilingual outreach and coordinated legal teams

CSLB enforcement division reports 9,317 complaints, plans to expand multiple-offender unit