State lawmakers deny bill is anti-consumer

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma lawmakers are surprised by a US Justice Department letter attacking as anti-consumer a Senate-passed bill on real estate transactions.<br/><br/>In a letter mailed Friday

Monday, April 11th 2005, 8:23 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma lawmakers are surprised by a US Justice Department letter attacking as anti-consumer a Senate-passed bill on real estate transactions.

In a letter mailed Friday to legislative leaders, Assistant US Attorney General -R- Hewitt Pate said the measure would reduce competition and harm consumers.

But Republican state Representative Doug Miller of Norman and Democratic state Senator Jay Paul Gumm of Durant disagree.

Miller says based on their comments, he's not sure the Justice Departmehnt has read the measure affecting so-called "fee-for-service" real estate brokers.

He and Gumm say the bill merely re-states and clarifies current state law requiring all real estate professionals to present offers and counteroffers in a timely matter and notify the seller in writing of what they can expect in fees and conditions when a deal is closed.

Gumm says the bill doesn't hamper fee-for-service arrangements, such as marketing the home through the local multiple listing service, but allows the homeowner to negotiate the sale of the property.