Our Advocacy Mission
The California Pool & Spa Association™ (CPSA) serves as the statewide public policy representative for the pool and spa industry by advocating on behalf of industry interests before the California Legislature and state and local regulatory agencies. CPSA works with all segments of the California pool and spa industry and partners with other associations to be the central source of information for the industry and consumers relative to professional and consumer education. CPSA also promotes the highest standards of professional conduct in pool construction, service, and repair and seeks to promote the products and services of its members.
2021 Year-End Legislative Report
John A. Norwood, Managing Partner and Counselor at Law, Norwood Associates, LLC
Mr. Norwood is one of California’s top legislative advocates and principal of Norwood Associates considered the leader in the state’s insurance, financial services, and small business sector, representing a blue-chip list of business, insurance, and financial clients. His career has spanned more than 35 years in various capacities representing clients before the California Legislature and regulatory agencies. During that time, Mr. Norwood was one of the chief lobbyists for the California Manufacturers Association; founded and managed the Sacramento law and lobbying office of Heron, Burchette, Ruckert & Rothwell; a national political firm. Mr. Norwood has been the Managing Partner of Norwood Associates, LLC since 1990, representing numerous clients before the California Legislature and regulatory agencies.
One of the most experienced lobbyists in Sacramento, Mr. Norwood has earned a reputation as an expert in government relations, with access on both sides of the political aisle. In 1980 the California Journal named him “one of the rising stars in the lobbying business.” In 2004, the Los Angeles Times stated: “for three decades Norwood has been in the middle of the scrum in most major insurance struggles in California.” California’s leading political magazine, Capitol Weekly, named him the “Most Trustworthy” lobbyist as a result of their 2010 poll of legislators and chiefs of staff. His successes include hard-fought campaigns amending California’s insurance rate regulatory statutes, reforming California’s insurance agent and broker licensing laws, obtaining numerous amendments to California’s privacy law for various clients, rebuffing challenges to title insurance and home warranty statutes, defending against amendments to California’s franchise law as well as laws and regulations governing contractors and the swimming pool and spa business.
Mr. Norwood graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor’s Degree in Government. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and is an active member of The State Bar of California.
Erin K. Norwood, Partner, Norwood Associates, LLC
As a partner of Norwood Associates, Ms. Norwood coordinates all legislative efforts for the firm – beginning with reading and evaluating every bill introduced each legislative year, establishing a priority list of bills for each client. She, along with the team, proposes a political strategy for advocacy before the Legislature and regulatory agencies on each client’s behalf.
As a lobbyist for the firm for over 15 years, Ms. Norwood represents all clients but focuses on legislation dealing with employment and labor, privacy and personal information/records, real estate, and legislative issues dealing with property and casualty insurance, and life and health insurance issues. She is well-regarded as a professional and effective advocate by her peers and by legislators and their staffs. Ms. Norwood is also well-versed in “grassroots” organization, providing counsel to clients with a specific need.
Ms. Norwood is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Studies with an emphasis in Political Communications. Ms. Norwood also is a graduate from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law with a Master of Science in Law.