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H.B. 401

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 12:13 PM by ddonat. -->              1     

MASTER PLUMBER LICENSING

             2     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies provisions of the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act by
             10      providing for new license classifications of master plumber and residential master
             11      plumber in the plumbing trade.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    defines "master plumber" and "residential master plumber" for the purpose of
             15      license classification in the plumbing trade;
             16          .    modifies provisions related to the composition of the Plumbers Licensing Board;
             17          .    recognizes master plumbers and residential master plumbers as license
             18      classifications under the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act;
             19          .    provides educational and practical experience qualifications for licensure as a
             20      master plumber and residential master plumber; and
             21          .    makes certain technical changes.
             22      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          None
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      AMENDS:


             28          58-55-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 73
             29          58-55-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 241
             30          58-55-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2000, Chapter 317
             31          58-55-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 122
             32     
             33      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             34          Section 1. Section 58-55-102 is amended to read:
             35           58-55-102. Definitions.
             36          In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102 , as used in this chapter:
             37          (1) (a) "Alarm business or company" means a person engaged in the sale, installation,
             38      maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, servicing, or monitoring of an alarm system,
             39      except as provided in Subsection (1)(b).
             40          (b) "Alarm business or company" does not include:
             41          (i) a person engaged in the manufacture and sale of alarm systems when that person is
             42      not engaged in the installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, servicing, or
             43      monitoring of alarm systems, and the manufacture or sale occurs only at a place of business
             44      established by the person engaged in the manufacture or sale and does not involve site visits at
             45      the place or intended place of installation of an alarm system; or
             46          (ii) an owner of an alarm system, or an employee of the owner of an alarm system who
             47      is engaged in installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, servicing, or monitoring
             48      of the alarm system owned by that owner.
             49          (2) "Alarm company agent" means any individual employed within this state by a
             50      person engaged in the alarm business.
             51          (3) "Alarm system" means equipment and devices assembled for the purpose of:
             52          (a) detecting and signaling unauthorized intrusion or entry into or onto certain
             53      premises; or
             54          (b) signaling a robbery or attempted robbery on protected premises.
             55          (4) "Apprentice electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as an
             56      apprentice electrician who is learning the electrical trade under approved supervision of a
             57      master electrician, residential master electrician, a journeyman electrician, or a residential
             58      journeyman electrician.


             59          (5) "Apprentice plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as an apprentice
             60      plumber who is learning the plumbing trade under approved supervision of a master plumber,
             61      residential master plumber, journeyman plumber, or a residential journeyman plumber.
             62          (6) "Approved supervision" means the immediate supervision of apprentices by
             63      qualified licensed electricians or plumbers as a part of a planned program of training.
             64          (7) "Board" means the Electrician Licensing Board, Alarm System Security and
             65      Licensing Board, or Plumbers Licensing Board created in Section 58-55-201 .
             66          (8) "Combustion system" means an assembly consisting of:
             67          (a) piping and components with a means for conveying, either continuously or
             68      intermittently, natural gas from the outlet of the natural gas provider's meter to the burner of the
             69      appliance;
             70          (b) the electric control and combustion air supply and venting systems, including air
             71      ducts; and
             72          (c) components intended to achieve control of quantity, flow, and pressure.
             73          (9) "Commission" means the Construction Services Commission created under Section
             74      58-55-103 .
             75          (10) "Construction trade" means any trade or occupation involving:
             76          (a) (i) construction, alteration, remodeling, repairing, wrecking or demolition, addition
             77      to, or improvement of any building, highway, road, railroad, dam, bridge, structure, excavation
             78      or other project, development, or improvement to other than personal property; and
             79          (ii) constructing, remodeling, or repairing a manufactured home or mobile home as
             80      defined in Section 58-56-3 ; or
             81          (b) installation or repair of a residential or commercial natural gas appliance or
             82      combustion system.
             83          (11) "Construction trades instructor" means a person licensed under this chapter to
             84      teach one or more construction trades in both a classroom and project environment, where a
             85      project is intended for sale to or use by the public and is completed under the direction of the
             86      instructor, who has no economic interest in the project.
             87          (12) (a) "Contractor" means any person who for compensation other than wages as an
             88      employee undertakes any work in the construction, plumbing, or electrical trade for which
             89      licensure is required under this chapter and includes:


             90          (i) a person who builds any structure on his own property for the purpose of sale or
             91      who builds any structure intended for public use on his own property;
             92          (ii) any person who represents himself to be a contractor by advertising or any other
             93      means;
             94          (iii) any person engaged as a maintenance person, other than an employee, who
             95      regularly engages in activities set forth under the definition of "construction trade";
             96          (iv) any person engaged in any construction trade for which licensure is required under
             97      this chapter; or
             98          (v) a construction manager who performs management and counseling services on a
             99      construction project for a fee.
             100          (b) "Contractor" does not include an alarm company or alarm company agent.
             101          (13) (a) "Electrical trade" means the performance of any electrical work involved in the
             102      installation, construction, alteration, change, repair, removal, or maintenance of facilities,
             103      buildings, or appendages or appurtenances.
             104          (b) "Electrical trade" does not include:
             105          (i) transporting or handling electrical materials;
             106          (ii) preparing clearance for raceways for wiring; or
             107          (iii) work commonly done by unskilled labor on any installations under the exclusive
             108      control of electrical utilities.
             109          (c) For purposes of Subsection (13)(b):
             110          (i) no more than one unlicensed person may be so employed unless more than five
             111      licensed electricians are employed by the shop; and
             112          (ii) a shop may not employ unlicensed persons in excess of the five-to-one ratio
             113      permitted by this Subsection (13)(c).
             114          (14) "Employee" means an individual as defined by the division by rule giving
             115      consideration to the definition adopted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of
             116      Workforce Services.
             117          (15) "Engage in a construction trade" means to:
             118          (a) engage in, represent oneself to be engaged in, or advertise oneself as being engaged
             119      in a construction trade; or
             120          (b) use the name "contractor" or "builder" or in any other way lead a reasonable person


             121      to believe one is or will act as a contractor.
             122          (16) (a) "Financial responsibility" means a demonstration of a current and expected
             123      future condition of financial solvency evidencing a reasonable expectation to the division and
             124      the board that an applicant or licensee can successfully engage in business as a contractor
             125      without jeopardy to the public health, safety, and welfare.
             126          (b) Financial responsibility may be determined by an evaluation of the total history
             127      concerning the licensee or applicant including past, present, and expected condition and record
             128      of financial solvency and business conduct.
             129          (17) "Gas appliance" means any device that uses natural gas to produce light, heat,
             130      power, steam, hot water, refrigeration, or air conditioning.
             131          (18) (a) "General building contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             132      general building contractor qualified by education, training, experience, and knowledge to
             133      perform or superintend construction of structures for the support, shelter, and enclosure of
             134      persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind or any of the components of that
             135      construction except plumbing, electrical work, mechanical work, and manufactured housing
             136      installation, for which the general building contractor shall employ the services of a contractor
             137      licensed in the particular specialty, except that a general building contractor engaged in the
             138      construction of single-family and multifamily residences up to four units may perform the
             139      mechanical work and hire a licensed plumber or electrician as an employee.
             140          (b) The division may by rule exclude general building contractors from engaging in the
             141      performance of other construction specialties in which there is represented a substantial risk to
             142      the public health, safety, and welfare, and for which a license is required unless that general
             143      building contractor holds a valid license in that specialty classification.
             144          (19) (a) "General engineering contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter as
             145      a general engineering contractor qualified by education, training, experience, and knowledge to
             146      perform construction of fixed works in any of the following: irrigation, drainage, water, power,
             147      water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, railroads, highways, tunnels, airports
             148      and runways, sewers and bridges, refineries, pipelines, chemical and industrial plants requiring
             149      specialized engineering knowledge and skill, piers, and foundations, or any of the components
             150      of those works.
             151          (b) A general engineering contractor may not perform construction of structures built


             152      primarily for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, and chattels.
             153          (20) "Immediate supervision" means reasonable direction, oversight, inspection, and
             154      evaluation of the work of a person, in or out of the immediate presence of the supervising
             155      person, so as to ensure that the end result complies with applicable standards.
             156          (21) "Individual" means a natural person.
             157          (22) "Journeyman electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             158      journeyman electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to wire,
             159      install, and repair electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes.
             160          (23) "Journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             161      journeyman plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge
             162      to engage in the plumbing trade.
             163          (24) "Master electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a master
             164      electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to properly plan,
             165      layout, and supervise the wiring, installation, and repair of electrical apparatus and equipment
             166      for light, heat, power, and other purposes.
             167          (25) "Master plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a master plumber
             168      having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to properly plan and layout
             169      projects and supervise persons in the plumbing trade.
             170          [(25)] (26) "Person" means a natural person, sole proprietorship, joint venture,
             171      corporation, limited liability company, association, or organization of any type.
             172          [(26)] (27) (a) "Plumbing trade" means the performance of any mechanical work
             173      pertaining to the installation, alteration, change, repair, removal, maintenance, or use in
             174      buildings, or within three feet beyond the outside walls of buildings of pipes, fixtures, and
             175      fittings for:
             176          (i) delivery of the water supply;
             177          (ii) discharge of liquid and water carried waste; or
             178          (iii) the building drainage system within the walls of the building.
             179          (b) "Plumbing trade" includes work pertaining to the water supply, distribution pipes,
             180      fixtures and fixture traps, soil, waste and vent pipes, and the building drain and roof drains
             181      together with their devices, appurtenances, and connections where installed within the outside
             182      walls of the building.


             183          [(27)] (28) (a) "Ratio of apprentices" means, for the purpose of determining
             184      compliance with the requirements for planned programs of training and electrician apprentice
             185      licensing applications, the shop ratio of apprentice electricians to journeyman or master
             186      electricians shall be one journeyman or master electrician to one apprentice on industrial and
             187      commercial work, and one journeyman or master electrician to three apprentices on residential
             188      work.
             189          (b) On-the-job training shall be under circumstances in which the ratio of apprentices
             190      to supervisors is in accordance with a ratio of one-to-one on nonresidential work and up to
             191      three apprentices to one supervisor on residential projects.
             192          [(28)] (29) "Residential and small commercial contractor" means a person licensed
             193      under this chapter as a residential and small commercial contractor qualified by education,
             194      training, experience, and knowledge to perform or superintend the construction of
             195      single-family residences, multifamily residences up to four units, and commercial construction
             196      of not more than three stories above ground and not more than 20,000 square feet, or any of the
             197      components of that construction except plumbing, electrical work, mechanical work, and
             198      manufactured housing installation, for which the residential and small commercial contractor
             199      shall employ the services of a contractor licensed in the particular specialty, except that a
             200      residential and small commercial contractor engaged in the construction of single-family and
             201      multifamily residences up to four units may perform the mechanical work and hire a licensed
             202      plumber or electrician as an employee.
             203          [(29) "Residential apprentice plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             204      residential apprentice plumber who is learning the residential plumbing trade while working on
             205      residential buildings under the approved supervision of a residential journeyman plumber or a
             206      journeyman plumber.]
             207          (30) "Residential building," as it relates to the license classification of [residential
             208      apprentice plumber and] residential journeyman plumber[,] and residential master plumber,
             209      means a single or multiple family dwelling of up to four units.
             210          (31) "Residential journeyman electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter
             211      as a residential journeyman electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and
             212      knowledge to wire, install, and repair electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power,
             213      and other purposes on buildings using primarily nonmetallic sheath cable.


             214          (32) "Residential journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             215      residential journeyman plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge
             216      to engage in the plumbing trade as limited to the plumbing of residential buildings.
             217          (33) "Residential master electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             218      residential master electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to
             219      properly plan, layout, and supervise the wiring, installation, and repair of electrical apparatus
             220      and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes on residential projects.
             221          (34) "Residential master plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             222      residential master plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to
             223      properly plan and layout projects and supervise persons in the plumbing trade as limited to the
             224      plumbing of residential buildings.
             225          [(34)] (35) "Residential project," as it relates to an electrician or electrical contractor,
             226      means buildings primarily wired with nonmetallic sheathed cable, in accordance with standard
             227      rules and regulations governing this work, including the National Electrical Code, and in which
             228      the voltage does not exceed 250 volts line to line and 125 volts to ground.
             229          [(35)] (36) (a) "Specialty contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter under
             230      a specialty contractor classification established by rule, who is qualified by education, training,
             231      experience, and knowledge to perform those construction trades and crafts requiring
             232      specialized skill, the regulation of which are determined by the division to be in the best
             233      interest of the public health, safety, and welfare.
             234          (b) A specialty contractor may perform work in crafts or trades other than those in
             235      which he is licensed if they are incidental to the performance of his licensed craft or trade.
             236          [(36)] (37) "Unlawful conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-55-501 .
             237          [(37)] (38) "Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-55-502
             238      and as may be further defined by rule.
             239          [(38)] (39) "Wages" means amounts due to an employee for labor or services whether
             240      the amount is fixed or ascertained on a time, task, piece, commission, or other basis for
             241      calculating the amount.
             242          Section 2. Section 58-55-201 is amended to read:
             243           58-55-201. Boards created -- Duties.
             244          (1) There is created a Plumbers Licensing Board, an Alarm System Security and


             245      Licensing Board, and an Electricians Licensing Board. Members of the boards shall be
             246      selected to provide representation as follows:
             247          (a) The Plumbers Licensing Board consists of five members as follows:
             248          [(i) four members shall be licensed journeyman plumbers, of whom two shall be
             249      licensed plumbing contractors; and]
             250          (i) two members shall be licensed from among the license classifications of master or
             251      journeyman plumber;
             252          (ii) two members shall be licensed plumbing contractors; and
             253          [(ii)] (iii) one member shall be from the public at large with no history of involvement
             254      in the construction trades H. [ or union affiliation ] .H .
             255          (b) (i) The Alarm System Security and Licensing Board consists of five members as
             256      follows:
             257          (A) three individuals who are officers or owners of a licensed alarm business;
             258          (B) one individual from among nominees of the Utah Peace Officers Association; and
             259          (C) one individual representing the general public.
             260          (ii) The Alarm System Security and Licensing Board shall designate one of its
             261      members on a permanent or rotating basis to:
             262          (A) assist the division in reviewing complaints concerning the unlawful or
             263      unprofessional conduct of a licensee; and
             264          (B) advise the division in its investigation of these complaints.
             265          (iii) A board member who has, under this Subsection [(3)] (1)(b)(iii), reviewed a
             266      complaint or advised in its investigation is disqualified from participating with the board when
             267      the board serves as a presiding officer in an adjudicative proceeding concerning the complaint.
             268          (c) The Electricians Licensing Board consists of five members as follows:
             269          (i) two members shall be licensed from among the license classifications of master or
             270      journeyman electrician, of whom one shall represent a union organization and one shall be
             271      selected having no union affiliation;
             272          (ii) two shall be licensed electrical contractors of whom one shall represent a union
             273      organization and one shall be selected having no union affiliation; and
             274          (iii) one member shall be from the public at large with no history of involvement in the
             275      construction trades or union affiliation.


             276          (2) The duties, functions, and responsibilities of each board include the following:
             277          (a) recommending to the commission appropriate rules;
             278          (b) recommending to the commission policy and budgetary matters;
             279          (c) approving and establishing a passing score for applicant examinations;
             280          (d) overseeing the screening of applicants for licensing, renewal, reinstatement, and
             281      relicensure;
             282          (e) assisting the commission in establishing standards of supervision for students or
             283      persons in training to become qualified to obtain a license in the occupation or profession it
             284      represents; and
             285          (f) acting as presiding officer in conducting hearings associated with the adjudicative
             286      proceedings and in issuing recommended orders when so authorized by the commission.
             287          Section 3. Section 58-55-301 is amended to read:
             288           58-55-301. License required -- License classifications.
             289          (1) (a) [Any] A person engaged in the construction trades licensed under this chapter,
             290      as a contractor regulated under this chapter, as an alarm business or company, or as an alarm
             291      company agent, shall become licensed under this chapter before engaging in that trade or
             292      contracting activity in this state unless specifically exempted from licensure under Section
             293      58-1-307 or 58-55-305 .
             294          (b) The license issued under this chapter and the business license issued by the local
             295      jurisdiction in which the licensee has its principal place of business shall be the only licenses
             296      required for the licensee to engage in a trade licensed by this chapter, within the state.
             297          (c) Neither the state nor any of its political subdivisions may require of a licensee any
             298      additional business licenses, registrations, certifications, contributions, donations, or anything
             299      else established for the purpose of qualifying a licensee under this chapter to do business in that
             300      local jurisdiction, except for contract prequalification procedures required by state agencies, or
             301      the payment of any fee for the license, registration, or certification established as a condition to
             302      do business in that local jurisdiction.
             303          (2) The division shall issue licenses under this chapter to qualified persons in the
             304      following classifications:
             305          (a) general engineering contractor;
             306          (b) general building contractor;


             307          (c) residential and small commercial contractor;
             308          (d) specialty contractor;
             309          (e) master plumber;
             310          (f) residential master plumber;
             311          [(e)] (g) journeyman plumber;
             312          [(f)] (h) apprentice plumber;
             313          [(g)] (i) residential journeyman plumber;
             314          [(h) residential apprentice plumber;]
             315          [(i)] (j) master electrician;
             316          [(j)] (k) residential master electrician;
             317          [(k)] (l) journeyman electrician;
             318          [(l)] (m) residential journeyman electrician;
             319          [(m)] (n) apprentice electrician;
             320          [(n)] (o) construction trades instructor:
             321          (i) general engineering classification;
             322          (ii) general building classification;
             323          (iii) electrical classification;
             324          (iv) plumbing classification; and
             325          (v) mechanical classification;
             326          [(o)] (p) alarm company; and
             327          [(p)] (q) alarm company agent.
             328          (3) (a) An applicant may apply for a license in one or more classification or specialty
             329      contractor subclassification.
             330          (b) A license shall be granted in each classification or subclassification for which the
             331      applicant qualifies.
             332          (c) A separate application and fee must be submitted for each license classification or
             333      subclassification.
             334          Section 4. Section 58-55-302 is amended to read:
             335           58-55-302. Qualifications for licensure.
             336          (1) Each applicant for a license under this chapter shall:
             337          (a) submit an application prescribed by the division;


             338          (b) pay a fee as determined by the department under Section 63-38-3.2 ;
             339          (c) (i) meet the examination requirements established by rule by the commission with
             340      the concurrence of the director, except for the classifications of apprentice plumber[, residential
             341      apprentice plumber,] and apprentice electrician for whom no examination is required; or
             342          (ii) if required in Section 58-55-304 , the individual qualifier must pass the required
             343      examination if the applicant is a business entity;
             344          (d) if an apprentice, identify the proposed supervisor of the apprenticeship;
             345          (e) if an applicant for a contractor's license:
             346          (i) produce satisfactory evidence of financial responsibility, except for a construction
             347      trades instructor for whom evidence of financial responsibility is not required;
             348          (ii) produce satisfactory evidence of knowledge and experience in the construction
             349      industry and knowledge of the principles of the conduct of business as a contractor, reasonably
             350      necessary for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare; and
             351          (iii) be a licensed master electrician if an applicant for an electrical contractor's license
             352      or a licensed master residential electrician if an applicant for a residential electrical contractor's
             353      license; or
             354          (iv) be a [journeyman] licensed master plumber [or residential journeyman plumber] if
             355      an applicant for a plumbing contractor's license or a licensed master residential plumber if an
             356      applicant for a residential plumbing contractor's license; and
             357          (f) if an applicant for a construction trades instructor license, satisfy any additional
             358      requirements established by rule.
             359          (2) After approval of an applicant for a contractor's license by the applicable board and
             360      the division, the applicant shall file the following with the division before the division issues
             361      the license:
             362          (a) proof of workers' compensation insurance which covers employees of the applicant
             363      in accordance with applicable Utah law;
             364          (b) proof of public liability insurance in coverage amounts and form established by rule
             365      except for a construction trades instructor for whom public liability insurance is not required;
             366      and
             367          (c) proof of registration as required by applicable law with the:
             368          (i) Utah Department of Commerce;


             369          (ii) Division of Corporations and Commercial Code;
             370          (iii) Unemployment Insurance Division in the Department of Workforce Services, for
             371      purposes of Title 35A, Chapter 4, Employment Security Act;
             372          (iv) State Tax Commission; and
             373          (v) Internal Revenue Service.
             374          (3) In addition to the general requirements for each applicant in Subsection (1),
             375      applicants shall comply with the following requirements to be licensed in the following
             376      classifications:
             377          (a) (i) A master plumber shall produce satisfactory evidence that the applicant:
             378          (A) has been a licensed journeyman plumber for at least two years and had two years of
             379      supervisory experience as a licensed journeyman plumber in accordance with division rule;
             380          (B) has received at least an associate of applied science degree or similar degree
             381      following the completion of a course of study approved by the division and had one year of
             382      supervisory experience as a licensed journeyman plumber in accordance with division rule; or
             383          (C) meets the qualifications determined by the division in collaboration with the board