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H.B. 401 Enrolled

             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      Cosponsors:
             7      Sheryl L. Allen
             8      Sylvia S. Andersen
             9      Jim Bird
             10      Jackie Biskupski
             11      DeMar Bud Bowman
             12      Rebecca Chavez-Houck
             13      Stephen D. Clark
             14      Bradley M. Daw
             15      Jack R. Draxler
             16      Carl W. Duckworth
             17      Janice M. Fisher
             18      Craig A. Frank
             19      Gage FroererJames R. Gowans
Richard A. Greenwood
Keith Grover
Neil A. Hansen
Neal B. Hendrickson
Kory M. Holdaway
Fred R. Hunsaker
Christine A. Johnson
Brad King
Todd E. Kiser
David Litvack
Steven R. Mascaro
Rosalind J. McGee
Kay L. McIffRonda Rudd Menlove
Karen W. Morgan
Michael T. Morley
Carol Spackman Moss
Paul A. Neuenschwander
Curtis Oda
Phil Riesen
Stephen E. Sandstrom
Jennifer M. Seelig
LaWanna Lou Shurtliff
R. Curt Webb
Mark A. Wheatley
Larry B. Wiley
Carl Wimmer              20     
             21      LONG TITLE
             22      General Description:
             23          This bill modifies provisions of the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act by
             24      providing for new license classifications of master plumber and residential master
             25      plumber in the plumbing trade.
             26      Highlighted Provisions:
             27          This bill:
             28          .    defines "master plumber" and "residential master plumber" for the purpose of license
             29      classification in the plumbing trade;
             30          .    modifies provisions related to the composition of the Plumbers Licensing Board;
             31          .    recognizes master plumbers and residential master plumbers as license classifications
             32      under the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act;
             33          .    provides educational and practical experience qualifications for licensure as a master


             34      plumber and residential master plumber; and
             35          .    makes certain technical changes.
             36      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             37          None
             38      Other Special Clauses:
             39          None
             40      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             41      AMENDS:
             42          58-55-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 73
             43          58-55-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 241
             44          58-55-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2000, Chapter 317
             45          58-55-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 122
             46     
             47      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             48          Section 1. Section 58-55-102 is amended to read:
             49           58-55-102. Definitions.
             50          In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102 , as used in this chapter:
             51          (1) (a) "Alarm business or company" means a person engaged in the sale, installation,
             52      maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, servicing, or monitoring of an alarm system, except
             53      as provided in Subsection (1)(b).
             54          (b) "Alarm business or company" does not include:
             55          (i) a person engaged in the manufacture and sale of alarm systems when that person is
             56      not engaged in the installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, servicing, or
             57      monitoring of alarm systems, and the manufacture or sale occurs only at a place of business
             58      established by the person engaged in the manufacture or sale and does not involve site visits at
             59      the place or intended place of installation of an alarm system; or
             60          (ii) an owner of an alarm system, or an employee of the owner of an alarm system who
             61      is engaged in installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, servicing, or monitoring


             62      of the alarm system owned by that owner.
             63          (2) "Alarm company agent" means any individual employed within this state by a person
             64      engaged in the alarm business.
             65          (3) "Alarm system" means equipment and devices assembled for the purpose of:
             66          (a) detecting and signaling unauthorized intrusion or entry into or onto certain premises;
             67      or
             68          (b) signaling a robbery or attempted robbery on protected premises.
             69          (4) "Apprentice electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as an apprentice
             70      electrician who is learning the electrical trade under approved supervision of a master
             71      electrician, residential master electrician, a journeyman electrician, or a residential journeyman
             72      electrician.
             73          (5) "Apprentice plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as an apprentice
             74      plumber who is learning the plumbing trade under approved supervision of a master plumber,
             75      residential master plumber, journeyman plumber, or a residential journeyman plumber.
             76          (6) "Approved supervision" means the immediate supervision of apprentices by
             77      qualified licensed electricians or plumbers as a part of a planned program of training.
             78          (7) "Board" means the Electrician Licensing Board, Alarm System Security and
             79      Licensing Board, or Plumbers Licensing Board created in Section 58-55-201 .
             80          (8) "Combustion system" means an assembly consisting of:
             81          (a) piping and components with a means for conveying, either continuously or
             82      intermittently, natural gas from the outlet of the natural gas provider's meter to the burner of the
             83      appliance;
             84          (b) the electric control and combustion air supply and venting systems, including air
             85      ducts; and
             86          (c) components intended to achieve control of quantity, flow, and pressure.
             87          (9) "Commission" means the Construction Services Commission created under Section
             88      58-55-103 .
             89          (10) "Construction trade" means any trade or occupation involving:


             90          (a) (i) construction, alteration, remodeling, repairing, wrecking or demolition, addition
             91      to, or improvement of any building, highway, road, railroad, dam, bridge, structure, excavation
             92      or other project, development, or improvement to other than personal property; and
             93          (ii) constructing, remodeling, or repairing a manufactured home or mobile home as
             94      defined in Section 58-56-3 ; or
             95          (b) installation or repair of a residential or commercial natural gas appliance or
             96      combustion system.
             97          (11) "Construction trades instructor" means a person licensed under this chapter to
             98      teach one or more construction trades in both a classroom and project environment, where a
             99      project is intended for sale to or use by the public and is completed under the direction of the
             100      instructor, who has no economic interest in the project.
             101          (12) (a) "Contractor" means any person who for compensation other than wages as an
             102      employee undertakes any work in the construction, plumbing, or electrical trade for which
             103      licensure is required under this chapter and includes:
             104          (i) a person who builds any structure on his own property for the purpose of sale or
             105      who builds any structure intended for public use on his own property;
             106          (ii) any person who represents himself to be a contractor by advertising or any other
             107      means;
             108          (iii) any person engaged as a maintenance person, other than an employee, who
             109      regularly engages in activities set forth under the definition of "construction trade";
             110          (iv) any person engaged in any construction trade for which licensure is required under
             111      this chapter; or
             112          (v) a construction manager who performs management and counseling services on a
             113      construction project for a fee.
             114          (b) "Contractor" does not include an alarm company or alarm company agent.
             115          (13) (a) "Electrical trade" means the performance of any electrical work involved in the
             116      installation, construction, alteration, change, repair, removal, or maintenance of facilities,
             117      buildings, or appendages or appurtenances.


             118          (b) "Electrical trade" does not include:
             119          (i) transporting or handling electrical materials;
             120          (ii) preparing clearance for raceways for wiring; or
             121          (iii) work commonly done by unskilled labor on any installations under the exclusive
             122      control of electrical utilities.
             123          (c) For purposes of Subsection (13)(b):
             124          (i) no more than one unlicensed person may be so employed unless more than five
             125      licensed electricians are employed by the shop; and
             126          (ii) a shop may not employ unlicensed persons in excess of the five-to-one ratio
             127      permitted by this Subsection (13)(c).
             128          (14) "Employee" means an individual as defined by the division by rule giving
             129      consideration to the definition adopted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of
             130      Workforce Services.
             131          (15) "Engage in a construction trade" means to:
             132          (a) engage in, represent oneself to be engaged in, or advertise oneself as being engaged
             133      in a construction trade; or
             134          (b) use the name "contractor" or "builder" or in any other way lead a reasonable person
             135      to believe one is or will act as a contractor.
             136          (16) (a) "Financial responsibility" means a demonstration of a current and expected
             137      future condition of financial solvency evidencing a reasonable expectation to the division and
             138      the board that an applicant or licensee can successfully engage in business as a contractor
             139      without jeopardy to the public health, safety, and welfare.
             140          (b) Financial responsibility may be determined by an evaluation of the total history
             141      concerning the licensee or applicant including past, present, and expected condition and record
             142      of financial solvency and business conduct.
             143          (17) "Gas appliance" means any device that uses natural gas to produce light, heat,
             144      power, steam, hot water, refrigeration, or air conditioning.
             145          (18) (a) "General building contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter as a


             146      general building contractor qualified by education, training, experience, and knowledge to
             147      perform or superintend construction of structures for the support, shelter, and enclosure of
             148      persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind or any of the components of that
             149      construction except plumbing, electrical work, mechanical work, and manufactured housing
             150      installation, for which the general building contractor shall employ the services of a contractor
             151      licensed in the particular specialty, except that a general building contractor engaged in the
             152      construction of single-family and multifamily residences up to four units may perform the
             153      mechanical work and hire a licensed plumber or electrician as an employee.
             154          (b) The division may by rule exclude general building contractors from engaging in the
             155      performance of other construction specialties in which there is represented a substantial risk to
             156      the public health, safety, and welfare, and for which a license is required unless that general
             157      building contractor holds a valid license in that specialty classification.
             158          (19) (a) "General engineering contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter as
             159      a general engineering contractor qualified by education, training, experience, and knowledge to
             160      perform construction of fixed works in any of the following: irrigation, drainage, water, power,
             161      water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, railroads, highways, tunnels, airports
             162      and runways, sewers and bridges, refineries, pipelines, chemical and industrial plants requiring
             163      specialized engineering knowledge and skill, piers, and foundations, or any of the components
             164      of those works.
             165          (b) A general engineering contractor may not perform construction of structures built
             166      primarily for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, and chattels.
             167          (20) "Immediate supervision" means reasonable direction, oversight, inspection, and
             168      evaluation of the work of a person, in or out of the immediate presence of the supervising
             169      person, so as to ensure that the end result complies with applicable standards.
             170          (21) "Individual" means a natural person.
             171          (22) "Journeyman electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             172      journeyman electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to wire,
             173      install, and repair electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes.


             174          (23) "Journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a journeyman
             175      plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to engage in
             176      the plumbing trade.
             177          (24) "Master electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a master
             178      electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to properly plan,
             179      layout, and supervise the wiring, installation, and repair of electrical apparatus and equipment
             180      for light, heat, power, and other purposes.
             181          (25) "Master plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a master plumber
             182      having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to properly plan and layout
             183      projects and supervise persons in the plumbing trade.
             184          [(25)] (26) "Person" means a natural person, sole proprietorship, joint venture,
             185      corporation, limited liability company, association, or organization of any type.
             186          [(26)] (27) (a) "Plumbing trade" means the performance of any mechanical work
             187      pertaining to the installation, alteration, change, repair, removal, maintenance, or use in
             188      buildings, or within three feet beyond the outside walls of buildings of pipes, fixtures, and
             189      fittings for:
             190          (i) delivery of the water supply;
             191          (ii) discharge of liquid and water carried waste; or
             192          (iii) the building drainage system within the walls of the building.
             193          (b) "Plumbing trade" includes work pertaining to the water supply, distribution pipes,
             194      fixtures and fixture traps, soil, waste and vent pipes, and the building drain and roof drains
             195      together with their devices, appurtenances, and connections where installed within the outside
             196      walls of the building.
             197          [(27)] (28) (a) "Ratio of apprentices" means, for the purpose of determining compliance
             198      with the requirements for planned programs of training and electrician apprentice licensing
             199      applications, the shop ratio of apprentice electricians to journeyman or master electricians shall
             200      be one journeyman or master electrician to one apprentice on industrial and commercial work,
             201      and one journeyman or master electrician to three apprentices on residential work.


             202          (b) On-the-job training shall be under circumstances in which the ratio of apprentices to
             203      supervisors is in accordance with a ratio of one-to-one on nonresidential work and up to three
             204      apprentices to one supervisor on residential projects.
             205          [(28)] (29) "Residential and small commercial contractor" means a person licensed
             206      under this chapter as a residential and small commercial contractor qualified by education,
             207      training, experience, and knowledge to perform or superintend the construction of single-family
             208      residences, multifamily residences up to four units, and commercial construction of not more
             209      than three stories above ground and not more than 20,000 square feet, or any of the
             210      components of that construction except plumbing, electrical work, mechanical work, and
             211      manufactured housing installation, for which the residential and small commercial contractor
             212      shall employ the services of a contractor licensed in the particular specialty, except that a
             213      residential and small commercial contractor engaged in the construction of single-family and
             214      multifamily residences up to four units may perform the mechanical work and hire a licensed
             215      plumber or electrician as an employee.
             216          [(29) "Residential apprentice plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             217      residential apprentice plumber who is learning the residential plumbing trade while working on
             218      residential buildings under the approved supervision of a residential journeyman plumber or a
             219      journeyman plumber.]
             220          (30) "Residential building," as it relates to the license classification of [residential
             221      apprentice plumber and] residential journeyman plumber[,] and residential master plumber,
             222      means a single or multiple family dwelling of up to four units.
             223          (31) "Residential journeyman electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as
             224      a residential journeyman electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and
             225      knowledge to wire, install, and repair electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power,
             226      and other purposes on buildings using primarily nonmetallic sheath cable.
             227          (32) "Residential journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             228      residential journeyman plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge
             229      to engage in the plumbing trade as limited to the plumbing of residential buildings.


             230          (33) "Residential master electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             231      residential master electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to
             232      properly plan, layout, and supervise the wiring, installation, and repair of electrical apparatus
             233      and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes on residential projects.
             234          (34) "Residential master plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             235      residential master plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to
             236      properly plan and layout projects and supervise persons in the plumbing trade as limited to the
             237      plumbing of residential buildings.
             238          [(34)] (35) "Residential project," as it relates to an electrician or electrical contractor,
             239      means buildings primarily wired with nonmetallic sheathed cable, in accordance with standard
             240      rules and regulations governing this work, including the National Electrical Code, and in which
             241      the voltage does not exceed 250 volts line to line and 125 volts to ground.
             242          [(35)] (36) (a) "Specialty contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter under
             243      a specialty contractor classification established by rule, who is qualified by education, training,
             244      experience, and knowledge to perform those construction trades and crafts requiring specialized
             245      skill, the regulation of which are determined by the division to be in the best interest of the
             246      public health, safety, and welfare.
             247          (b) A specialty contractor may perform work in crafts or trades other than those in
             248      which he is licensed if they are incidental to the performance of his licensed craft or trade.
             249          [(36)] (37) "Unlawful conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-55-501 .
             250          [(37)] (38) "Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-55-502
             251      and as may be further defined by rule.
             252          [(38)] (39) "Wages" means amounts due to an employee for labor or services whether
             253      the amount is fixed or ascertained on a time, task, piece, commission, or other basis for
             254      calculating the amount.
             255          Section 2. Section 58-55-201 is amended to read:
             256           58-55-201. Boards created -- Duties.
             257          (1) There is created a Plumbers Licensing Board, an Alarm System Security and


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


             286      organization and one shall be selected having no union affiliation; and
             287          (iii) one member shall be from the public at large with no history of involvement in the
             288      construction trades or union affiliation.
             289          (2) The duties, functions, and responsibilities of each board include the following:
             290          (a) recommending to the commission appropriate rules;
             291          (b) recommending to the commission policy and budgetary matters;
             292          (c) approving and establishing a passing score for applicant examinations;
             293          (d) overseeing the screening of applicants for licensing, renewal, reinstatement, and
             294      relicensure;
             295          (e) assisting the commission in establishing standards of supervision for students or
             296      persons in training to become qualified to obtain a license in the occupation or profession it
             297      represents; and
             298          (f) acting as presiding officer in conducting hearings associated with the adjudicative
             299      proceedings and in issuing recommended orders when so authorized by the commission.
             300          Section 3. Section 58-55-301 is amended to read:
             301           58-55-301. License required -- License classifications.
             302          (1) (a) [Any] A person engaged in the construction trades licensed under this chapter,
             303      as a contractor regulated under this chapter, as an alarm business or company, or as an alarm
             304      company agent, shall become licensed under this chapter before engaging in that trade or
             305      contracting activity in this state unless specifically exempted from licensure under Section
             306      58-1-307 or 58-55-305 .
             307          (b) The license issued under this chapter and the business license issued by the local
             308      jurisdiction in which the licensee has its principal place of business shall be the only licenses
             309      required for the licensee to engage in a trade licensed by this chapter, within the state.
             310          (c) Neither the state nor any of its political subdivisions may require of a licensee any
             311      additional business licenses, registrations, certifications, contributions, donations, or anything
             312      else established for the purpose of qualifying a licensee under this chapter to do business in that
             313      local jurisdiction, except for contract prequalification procedures required by state agencies, or


             314      the payment of any fee for the license, registration, or certification established as a condition to
             315      do business in that local jurisdiction.
             316          (2) The division shall issue licenses under this chapter to qualified persons in the
             317      following classifications:
             318          (a) general engineering contractor;
             319          (b) general building contractor;
             320          (c) residential and small commercial contractor;
             321          (d) specialty contractor;
             322          (e) master plumber;
             323          (f) residential master plumber;
             324          [(e)] (g) journeyman plumber;
             325          [(f)] (h) apprentice plumber;
             326          [(g)] (i) residential journeyman plumber;
             327          [(h) residential apprentice plumber;]
             328          [(i)] (j) master electrician;
             329          [(j)] (k) residential master electrician;
             330          [(k)] (l) journeyman electrician;
             331          [(l)] (m) residential journeyman electrician;
             332          [(m)] (n) apprentice electrician;
             333          [(n)] (o) construction trades instructor:
             334          (i) general engineering classification;
             335          (ii) general building classification;
             336          (iii) electrical classification;
             337          (iv) plumbing classification; and
             338          (v) mechanical classification;
             339          [(o)] (p) alarm company; and
             340          [(p)] (q) alarm company agent.
             341          (3) (a) An applicant may apply for a license in one or more classification or specialty


             342      contractor subclassification.
             343          (b) A license shall be granted in each classification or subclassification for which the
             344      applicant qualifies.
             345          (c) A separate application and fee must be submitted for each license classification or
             346      subclassification.
             347          Section 4. Section 58-55-302 is amended to read:
             348           58-55-302. Qualifications for licensure.
             349          (1) Each applicant for a license under this chapter shall:
             350          (a) submit an application prescribed by the division;
             351          (b) pay a fee as determined by the department under Section 63-38-3.2 ;
             352          (c) (i) meet the examination requirements established by rule by the commission with
             353      the concurrence of the director, except for the classifications of apprentice plumber[, residential
             354      apprentice plumber,] and apprentice electrician for whom no examination is required; or
             355          (ii) if required in Section 58-55-304 , the individual qualifier must pass the required
             356      examination if the applicant is a business entity;
             357          (d) if an apprentice, identify the proposed supervisor of the apprenticeship;
             358          (e) if an applicant for a contractor's license:
             359          (i) produce satisfactory evidence of financial responsibility, except for a construction
             360      trades instructor for whom evidence of financial responsibility is not required;
             361          (ii) produce satisfactory evidence of knowledge and experience in the construction
             362      industry and knowledge of the principles of the conduct of business as a contractor, reasonably
             363      necessary for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare; and
             364          (iii) be a licensed master electrician if an applicant for an electrical contractor's license
             365      or a licensed master residential electrician if an applicant for a residential electrical contractor's
             366      license; or
             367          (iv) be a [journeyman] licensed master plumber [or residential journeyman plumber] if
             368      an applicant for a plumbing contractor's license or a licensed master residential plumber if an
             369      applicant for a residential plumbing contractor's license; and


             370          (f) if an applicant for a construction trades instructor license, satisfy any additional
             371      requirements established by rule.
             372          (2) After approval of an applicant for a contractor's license by the applicable board and
             373      the division, the applicant shall file the following with the division before the division issues the
             374      license:
             375          (a) proof of workers' compensation insurance which covers employees of the applicant
             376      in accordance with applicable Utah law;
             377          (b) proof of public liability insurance in coverage amounts and form established by rule
             378      except for a construction trades instructor for whom public liability insurance is not required;
             379      and
             380          (c) proof of registration as required by applicable law with the:
             381          (i) Utah Department of Commerce;
             382          (ii) Division of Corporations and Commercial Code;
             383          (iii) Unemployment Insurance Division in the Department of Workforce Services, for
             384      purposes of Title 35A, Chapter 4, Employment Security Act;
             385          (iv) State Tax Commission; and
             386          (v) Internal Revenue Service.