Senate Committee on Business, Labor and Technology (03/18/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR AND TECHNOLOGY

Date:	03/18/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:32 PM to 01:35 PM	Foster	X
		Harvey	X
Place:	SCR 354	Mitchell	*
		Scheffel	*
This Meeting was called to order by		Tochtrop	X
	Senator Veiga	Heath	X
		Veiga	X
This Report was prepared by
	Hillary Smith
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HB09-1136		Referred to Appropriations

01:32 PM -- House Bill 09-1136

Senator Tochtrop presented House Bill 09-1136. The bill sets renewal requirements for professional electrician licenses. The State Electrical Board in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) will set standards and adopt rules for a program ensuring the continued competency of electricians. At a minimum, the rules must include the following:

a test of the knowledge and skills required to renew a license;
identification of a method to obtain the required knowledge and skills based on information obtained in the test; and
documents necessary to confirm the professional is in compliance.

The bill adds new license requirements for the profession of journeyman electrician. In addition to existing requirements, an applicant for this license type must have at least 288 hours of training in safety, the national electric code, or other areas identified by the board. The board is instructed to strive to reduce barriers to license by endorsement or through reciprocity agreements with other states. The bill applies to all new and renewed licenses beginning January 1, 2011.

In addition, this bill:

modifies the definitions of terms regarding electricity, electricians, and the national electrical code;
clarifies that electric power may be supplied by a renewable energy system;
adds electric power from renewable energy systems to the categories of power subject to inspection and approval; and
repeals the requirement that the board test persons for license renewal or registration, and replaces it with the continued competency program described above.

Senator Tochtrop explained the bill.

01:34 PM

Senator Tochtrop responded to a question from Senator Harvey concerning why the bill was necessary. Senator Tochtrop stated that the bill will change renewal requirements. Senator Tochtrop responded to questions from Senator Foster regarding opposition to the bill.


BILL:	HB09-1136
TIME:	01:34:30 PM
MOVED:	Tochtrop
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1136 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 7-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Foster	Yes
	Harvey	Yes
	Mitchell	Yes
	Scheffel	Yes
	Tochtrop	Yes
	Heath	Yes
	Veiga	Yes

Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:35 PM

The committee adjourned.