Bill Summary for Bill Number HB09-1136

Date: 02/03/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1136

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The motion Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion Moved to refer House Bill 09-1136, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection PASS

11:28 AM -- House Bill 09-1136

Representative Soper, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1136 concerning a person's competency to perform electrical work. He distributed a packet of letters of support for the bill (Attachment D). House Bill 09-1136 sets renewal requirements for professional electrician licenses. The State Electrical Board in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) shall 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.

11:34 AM

Representative Liston asked about the exam and pointed out that the test is a short open book test. Representative Soper responded.

11:35 AM -- Don Mares, Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, testified on the bill. He talked about the stakeholder group that met after the bill was vetoed last year and said he was an impartial mediator during the process. Mr. Mares explained the process he and the stakeholders took to come up with this bill.

11:44 AM -- Steve Foote, a member of the stakeholder group, representing Greiner Electric, testified in support of the bill.

11:45 AM -- Ed Knox, representing the Colorado State Conference of Electrical Workers, testified in support of the bill.

11:45 AM -- Ralph Lufen, representing the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, testified in support of the bill.

11:47 AM -- Dave Risser, a member of the stakeholder group, representing Electrician Apprenticeships, testified in support of the bill.

11:48 AM

Representative Rice mentioned that Greg Ferland from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies was available to answer questions.


BILL:	HB09-1136
TIME:	11:51:03 AM
MOVED:	Soper
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Gagliardi
		VOTE
	Balmer
	Bradford
	Gagliardi
	Liston
	Priola
	Ryden
	Scanlan
	Soper
	Stephens
	Casso
	Rice

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1136
TIME:	11:51:52 AM
MOVED:	Soper
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Gagliardi
		VOTE
	Balmer
	Bradford
	Gagliardi
	Liston
	Priola
	Ryden
	Scanlan
	Soper
	Stephens
	Casso
	Rice

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1136
TIME:	11:52:24 AM
MOVED:	Soper
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1136, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 6-5.
SECONDED:	Casso
		VOTE
	Balmer	No
	Bradford	No
	Gagliardi	Yes
	Liston	No
	Priola	No
	Ryden	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Soper	Yes
	Stephens	No
	Casso	Yes
	Rice	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS