HB 22-1346

House Bill 22-1346, which has been signed into law in Colorado, aims to strengthen licensing and supervision requirements for electricians and plumbers. It allows the state to hire or appoint experienced professionals to conduct inspections and ensure that projects comply with licensing rules and proper apprentice-to-supervisor ratios, especially focusing on critical needs projects like those providing essential services to residents. The bill also restricts independent contractors from applying for certain permits unless they meet specific criteria, ensuring only qualified individuals can perform the work. Additionally, it allocates funding to support these new enforcement measures. This law affects electricians and plumbers working in Colorado and aims to improve safety and quality in construction projects across the state.

Official Summary

Sections 1 and 5 of the act authorize the director of the division of professions and occupations (division) in the department of regulatory agencies to appoint or employ individuals who are licensed or, if not licensed, who demonstrate substantial work experience in the electrical, plumbing, or construction industry to: Conduct compliance checks to ensure compliance with licensing and supervisor-to-apprentice ratio requirements applicable to electricians and plumbers on projects throughout the state; and Prioritize for compliance checks projects that provide or will provide critical needs to state residents. The act also: Specifies that only a homeowner performing work on the homeowner's home or a licensed master electrician or plumber who is either a registered electrical or plumbing contractor or directly employed by a registered electrical or plumbing contractor may apply for an electrical or a plumbing permit (sections 2 and 6); Prohibits a licensed master electrician or plumber who is not a registered electrical or plumbing contractor and who is working as an independent contractor from applying for an electrical or a plumbing permit (sections 2 and 6) and makes a violation of this prohibition specific grounds for discipline by the electrical or plumbing board, as applicable (sections 3 and 4); Requires the entity issuing the permit to verify that the applicant meets the qualifications to apply for the permit (sections 2 and 6); and Requires inspecting entity procedures to include a provision allowing the inspecting entity to request worker documentation indicating compliance with worker license requirements and the supervisor-to-apprentice ratio (sections 2 and 6). Section 7 of the act appropriates $191,991 for the 2022-23 state fiscal year from the division of professions and occupations cash fund to the department of regulatory agencies to implement the act, allocated as follows: $127,110 for use by the division for personal services, including 2.0 additional FTE; $45,847 for the division's operating expenses; and $19,034 for the purchase of vehicle lease services, which amount is reappropriated to the department of personnel to provide vehicle replacement lease/purchase services.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes