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H.B. 49

             1     

NATURAL GAS TECHNICIAN

             2     
CERTIFICATION

             3     
2004 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Gordon E. Snow

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies provisions of the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    modifies the definition of a combustion system;
             13          .    exempts from licensure a delivery person who replaces existing equipment with
             14      certain new gas appliances; and
             15          .    provides an exemption from certification requirements for an individual installing,
             16      repairing, or replacing a residential or commercial gas appliance or a combustion
             17      system when under the supervision of a certified natural gas technician or a person
             18      exempt from certification.
             19      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             20          None
             21      Other Special Clauses:
             22          None
             23      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             24      AMENDS:
             25          58-55-102, as last amended by Chapters 33 and 241, Laws of Utah 2002
             26          58-55-305, as last amended by Chapter 104, Laws of Utah 2003
             27          58-55-308, as last amended by Chapter 104, Laws of Utah 2003


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


             59          (7) "Board" means the Electrician Licensing Board, Alarm System Security and
             60      Licensing Board, or Plumbers Licensing Board created in Section 58-55-201 .
             61          (8) "Combustion system" means an assembly consisting of piping and components
             62      with a means for conveying natural gas from the [shutoff valve of the piping system nearest the
             63      gas appliance] outlet of the natural gas provider's meter to the burner [and] of the appliance
             64      which includes the electric control and combustion air supply and venting systems, either
             65      continuously or intermittently, and that incorporates components intended to achieve control of
             66      quantity, flow, and pressure.
             67          (9) "Commission" means the Construction Services Commission created under Section
             68      58-55-103 .
             69          (10) "Construction trade" means any trade or occupation involving:
             70          (a) construction, alteration, remodeling, repairing, wrecking or demolition, addition to,
             71      or improvement of any building, highway, road, railroad, dam, bridge, structure, excavation or
             72      other project, development, or improvement to other than personal property; or
             73          (b) installation or repair of a residential or commercial natural gas appliance or a
             74      combustion system.
             75          (11) "Construction trades instructor" means a person licensed under this chapter to
             76      teach one or more construction trades in both a classroom and project environment, where a
             77      project is intended for sale to or use by the public and is completed under the direction of an
             78      instructor who has no economic interest in the project.
             79          (12) (a) "Contractor" means any person who for compensation other than wages as an
             80      employee undertakes any work in the construction, plumbing, or electrical trade for which
             81      licensure is required under this chapter and includes:
             82          (i) a person who builds any structure on his own property for the purpose of sale or
             83      who builds any structure intended for public use on his own property;
             84          (ii) any person who represents himself to be a contractor by advertising or any other
             85      means;
             86          (iii) any person engaged as a maintenance person, other than an employee, who
             87      regularly engages in activities set forth under the definition of "construction trade";
             88          (iv) any person engaged in any construction trade for which licensure is required under
             89      this chapter; or


             90          (v) a construction manager who performs management and counseling services on a
             91      construction project for a fee.
             92          (b) "Contractor" does not include an alarm company or alarm company agent.
             93          (13) (a) "Electrical trade" means the performance of any electrical work involved in the
             94      installation, construction, alteration, change, repair, removal, or maintenance of facilities,
             95      buildings, or appendages or appurtenances.
             96          (b) "Electrical trade" does not include:
             97          (i) transporting or handling electrical materials;
             98          (ii) preparing clearance for raceways for wiring; or
             99          (iii) work commonly done by unskilled labor or any installations under the exclusive
             100      control of electrical utilities.
             101          (c) For purposes of Subsection (13)(b):
             102          (i) no more than one unlicensed person may be so employed unless more than five
             103      licensed electricians are employed by the shop; and
             104          (ii) a shop may not employ unlicensed persons in excess of the five-to-one ratio
             105      permitted by this Subsection (13)(c).
             106          (14) "Employee" means an individual as defined by the division by rule giving
             107      consideration to the definition adopted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of
             108      Workforce Services.
             109          (15) "Engage in a construction trade" means to:
             110          (a) engage in, represent oneself to be engaged in, or advertise oneself as being engaged
             111      in a construction trade; or
             112          (b) use the name "contractor" or "builder" or in any other way lead a reasonable person
             113      to believe one is or will act as a contractor.
             114          (16) (a) "Financial responsibility" means a demonstration of a current and expected
             115      future condition of financial solvency evidencing a reasonable expectation to the division and
             116      the board that an applicant or licensee can successfully engage in business as a contractor
             117      without jeopardy to the public health, safety, and welfare.
             118          (b) Financial responsibility may be determined by an evaluation of the total history
             119      concerning the licensee or applicant including past, present, and expected condition and record
             120      of financial solvency and business conduct.


             121          (17) "Gas appliance" means any device that uses natural gas to produce light, heat,
             122      power, steam, hot water, refrigeration, or air conditioning.
             123          (18) (a) "General building contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             124      general building contractor qualified by education, training, experience, and knowledge to
             125      perform or superintend construction of structures for the support, shelter, and enclosure of
             126      persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind or any of the components of that
             127      construction except plumbing, electrical, and mechanical, for which the general building
             128      contractor shall employ the services of a contractor licensed in the particular specialty, except
             129      that a general building contractor engaged in the construction of single-family and multifamily
             130      residences up to four units may perform the mechanical and hire a licensed plumber or
             131      electrician as an employee.
             132          (b) The division may by rule exclude general building contractors from engaging in the
             133      performance of other construction specialties in which there is represented a substantial risk to
             134      the public health, safety, and welfare, and for which a license is required unless that general
             135      building contractor holds a valid license in that specialty classification.
             136          (19) (a) "General engineering contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter as
             137      a general engineering contractor qualified by education, training, experience, and knowledge to
             138      perform construction of fixed works in any or all of the following: irrigation, drainage, water,
             139      power, water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, railroads, highways, tunnels,
             140      airports and runways, sewers and bridges, refineries, pipelines, chemical and industrial plants
             141      requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, piers, and foundations, or any of the
             142      components of those works. [However, a]
             143          (b) A general engineering contractor may not perform construction of structures built
             144      primarily for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, and chattels.
             145          (20) "Immediate supervision" means reasonable direction, oversight, inspection, and
             146      evaluation of the work of a person, in or out of the immediate presence of the supervising
             147      person, so as to ensure that the end result complies with applicable standards.
             148          (21) "Individual" means a natural person.
             149          (22) "Journeyman electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             150      journeyman electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to wire,
             151      install, and repair electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes.


             152          (23) "Journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             153      journeyman plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge
             154      to engage in the plumbing trade.
             155          (24) "Master electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a master
             156      electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to properly plan,
             157      layout, and supervise the wiring, installation, and repair of electrical apparatus and equipment
             158      for light, heat, power, and other purposes.
             159          (25) "Person" means a natural person, sole proprietorship, joint venture, corporation,
             160      limited liability company, association, or organization of any type.
             161          (26) (a) "Plumbing trade" means the performance of any mechanical work pertaining to
             162      the installation, alteration, change, repair, removal, maintenance, or use in buildings or within
             163      three feet beyond the outside walls of buildings of pipes, fixtures, and fittings for delivery of
             164      the water supply, discharge of liquid and water carried waste, or the building drainage system
             165      within the walls of the building.
             166          (b) It includes that work pertaining to the water supply, distribution pipes, fixtures, and
             167      fixture traps, the soil, waste and vent pipes, and the building drain and roof drains together with
             168      their devices, appurtenances, and connections where installed within the outside walls of the
             169      building.
             170          (27) (a) "Ratio of apprentices" means, for the purpose of determining compliance with
             171      the requirements for planned programs of training and electrician apprentice licensing
             172      applications, the shop ratio of apprentice electricians to journeyman or master electricians shall
             173      be one journeyman or master electrician to one apprentice on industrial and commercial work,
             174      and one journeyman or master electrician to three apprentices on residential work.
             175          (b) All on-the-job training shall be under circumstances in which the ratio of
             176      apprentices to supervisors is in accordance with a ratio of one-to-one on nonresidential work
             177      and up to three apprentices to one supervisor on residential projects.
             178          (28) "Residential and small commercial contractor" means a person licensed under this
             179      chapter as a residential and small commercial contractor qualified by education, training,
             180      experience, and knowledge to perform or superintend the construction of single-family
             181      residences, multifamily residences up to four units, and commercial construction of not more
             182      than three stories above ground and not more than 20,000 square feet, or any of the components


             183      of that construction except plumbing, electrical, and mechanical, for which the residential and
             184      small commercial contractor shall employ the services of a contractor licensed in the particular
             185      specialty, except that a residential and small commercial contractor engaged in the construction
             186      of single-family and multifamily residences up to four units may perform the mechanical work
             187      and hire a licensed plumber or electrician as an employee.
             188          (29) "Residential apprentice plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             189      residential apprentice plumber who is learning the residential plumbing trade while working on
             190      residential buildings under the approved supervision of a residential journeyman plumber or a
             191      journeyman plumber.
             192          (30) "Residential building," as it relates to the license classification of residential
             193      apprentice plumber and residential journeyman plumber, means a single or multiple family
             194      dwelling of up to four units.
             195          (31) "Residential journeyman electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter
             196      as a residential journeyman electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and
             197      knowledge to wire, install, and repair electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power,
             198      and other purposes on buildings using primarily nonmetallic sheath cable.
             199          (32) "Residential journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             200      residential journeyman plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge
             201      to engage in the plumbing trade as limited to the plumbing of residential buildings.
             202          (33) "Residential master electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
             203      residential master electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to
             204      properly plan, layout, and supervise the wiring, installation, and repair of electrical apparatus
             205      and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes on residential projects.
             206          (34) "Residential project," as it relates to an electrician or electrical contractor, means
             207      buildings primarily wired with nonmetallic sheathed cable, in accordance with standard rules
             208      and regulations governing this work, including the National Electrical Code, and in which the
             209      voltage does not exceed 250 volts line to line and 125 volts to ground.
             210          (35) (a) "Specialty contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter under a
             211      specialty contractor classification established by rule, who is qualified by education, training,
             212      experience, and knowledge to perform those construction trades and crafts requiring
             213      specialized skill the regulation of which are determined by the division to be in the best interest


             214      of the public health, safety, and welfare.
             215          (b) A specialty contractor may perform work in crafts or trades other than those in
             216      which he is licensed if they are incidental to the performance of his licensed craft or trade.
             217          (36) "Unlawful conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-55-501 .
             218          (37) "Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-55-502 and as
             219      may be further defined by rule.
             220          (38) "Wages" means all amounts due an employee for labor or services whether the
             221      amount is fixed or ascertained on a time, task, piece, commission, or other basis for calculating
             222      the amount.
             223          Section 2. Section 58-55-305 is amended to read:
             224           58-55-305. Exemptions from licensure.
             225          (1) In addition to the exemptions from licensure in Section 58-1-307 , the following
             226      persons may engage in acts or practices included within the practice of construction trades,
             227      subject to the stated circumstances and limitations, without being licensed under this chapter:
             228          (a) an authorized representative of the United States government or an authorized
             229      employee of the state or any of its political subdivisions when working on construction work of
             230      the state or the subdivision, and when acting within the terms of the person's trust, office, or
             231      employment;
             232          (b) a person engaged in construction or operation incidental to the construction and
             233      repair of irrigation and drainage ditches of regularly constituted irrigation districts, reclamation
             234      districts, and drainage districts or construction and repair relating to farming, dairying,
             235      agriculture, livestock or poultry raising, metal and coal mining, quarries, sand and gravel
             236      excavations, well drilling, hauling to and from construction sites, and lumbering;
             237          (c) public utilities operating under the rules of the Public Service Commission on
             238      construction work incidental to their own business;
             239          (d) sole owners of property engaged in building:
             240          (i) no more than one residential structure per year and no more than three residential
             241      structures per five years on their property for their own noncommercial, nonpublic use; except,
             242      a person other than the property owner or individuals described in Subsection (1)(e), who
             243      engages in building the structure must be licensed under this chapter if the person is otherwise
             244      required to be licensed under this chapter; or


             245          (ii) structures on their property for their own noncommercial, nonpublic use which are
             246      incidental to a residential structure on the property, including sheds, carports, or detached
             247      garages;
             248          (e) (i) a person engaged in construction or renovation of a residential building for
             249      noncommercial, nonpublic use if that person:
             250          (A) works without compensation other than token compensation that is not considered
             251      salary or wages; and
             252          (B) works under the direction of the property owner who engages in building the
             253      structure;
             254          (ii) for purposes of this Subsection (1)(e), "token compensation" means compensation
             255      paid by a sole owner of property exempted from licensure under Subsection (1)(d) to a person
             256      exempted from licensure under this Subsection (1)(e), that is:
             257          (A) minimal in value when compared with the fair market value of the services
             258      provided by the person;
             259          (B) not related to the fair market value of the services provided by the person; and
             260          (C) is incidental to providing of services by the person including paying for or
             261      providing meals or refreshment while services are being provided, or paying reasonable
             262      transportation costs incurred by the person in travel to the site of construction;
             263          (f) a person engaged in the sale or merchandising of personal property that by its design
             264      or manufacture may be attached, installed, or otherwise affixed to real property who has
             265      contracted with a person, firm, or corporation licensed under this chapter to install, affix, or
             266      attach that property;
             267          (g) a contractor submitting a bid on a federal aid highway project, if, before
             268      undertaking construction under that bid, the contractor is licensed under this chapter;
             269          (h) (i) a person engaged in the alteration, repair, remodeling, or addition to or
             270      improvement of a building with a contracted or agreed value of less than $1,000, including
             271      both labor and materials, and including all changes or additions to the contracted or agreed
             272      upon work;
             273          (ii) notwithstanding Subsection (1)(h)(i):
             274          (A) work in the plumbing and electrical trades must be performed by a licensed
             275      electrician or plumber except as otherwise provided in this section; and


             276          (B) installation, repair, or replacement of a residential or commercial gas appliance or a
             277      combustion system must be performed by a person who has received certification under
             278      Subsection 58-55-308 (2) except as otherwise provided in Subsection 58-55-308 (2)(d) or
             279      58-55-308 (3);
             280          (i) a person practicing a specialty contractor classification or construction trade which
             281      is not classified by rule by the director as significantly impacting the public's health, safety, and
             282      welfare;
             283          (j) owners and lessees of property and persons regularly employed for wages by owners
             284      or lessees of property or their agents for the purpose of maintaining the property, are exempt
             285      from this chapter when doing work upon the property;
             286          (k) (i) a person engaged in minor plumbing work incidental to the replacement or
             287      repair of a fixture or an appliance in a residential or small commercial building, or structure
             288      used for agricultural use, as defined in Section 58-56-4 , provided that no modification is made
             289      to:
             290          (A) existing culinary water, soil, waste, or vent piping; or
             291          (B) a gas appliance or combustion system;
             292          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (1)(e), installation for the first time of a fixture or
             293      an appliance is not included in the exemption provided under Subsection (1)(k)(i);
             294          (l) a person who ordinarily would be subject to the plumber licensure requirements
             295      under this chapter when installing or repairing a water conditioner or other water treatment
             296      apparatus if the conditioner or apparatus:
             297          (i) meets the appropriate state construction codes or local plumbing standards; and
             298          (ii) is installed or repaired under the direction of a person authorized to do the work
             299      under an appropriate specialty contractor license;
             300          (m) a person who ordinarily would be subject to the electrician licensure requirements
             301      under this chapter when employed by or under contract with:
             302          (i) railroad corporations, telephone corporations or their corporate affiliates, elevator
             303      contractors or constructors, or street railway systems; or
             304          (ii) public service corporations, rural electrification associations, or municipal utilities
             305      who generate, distribute, or sell electrical energy for light, heat, or power;
             306          (n) a person involved in minor electrical work incidental to a mechanical or service


             307      installation; [and]
             308          (o) a student participating in construction trade education and training programs
             309      approved by the commission with the concurrence of the director under the condition that:
             310          (i) all work intended as a part of a finished product on which there would normally be
             311      an inspection by a building inspector is, in fact, inspected and found acceptable by a licensed
             312      building inspector; and
             313          (ii) a licensed contractor obtains the necessary building permits[.]; and
             314          (p) a delivery person when replacing any of the following existing equipment with a
             315      new gas appliance, provided there is an existing gas shutoff valve:
             316          (i) gas range;
             317          (ii) gas dryer;
             318          (iii) outdoor gas barbeque; or
             319          (iv) outdoor gas patio heater.
             320          (2) (a) A compliance agency as defined in Subsection 58-56-3 (4) that issues a building
             321      permit to any person requesting a permit as a sole owner of property referred to in Subsection
             322      (1)(d) shall notify the division, in writing or through electronic transmission, of the issuance of
             323      the permit.
             324          (b) The division shall evaluate the effectiveness of the notification requirement under
             325      Subsection (2)(a) and report its findings, including any recommendations for modification to or
             326      termination of the requirement, to the Legislature's Business and Labor Interim Committee
             327      prior to the 2008 General Session.
             328          Section 3. Section 58-55-308 is amended to read:
             329           58-55-308. Scope of practice -- Installation, repair, or replacement of gas
             330      appliance or combustion system -- Rules.
             331          (1) (a) The commission, with the concurrence of the director, may adopt reasonable
             332      rules pursuant to Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to define and
             333      limit the scope of practice and operating standards of the classifications and subclassifications
             334      licensed under this chapter in a manner consistent with established practice in the relevant
             335      industry.
             336          (b) The commission and the director may limit the field and scope of operations of a
             337      licensee under this chapter in accordance with the rules and the public health, safety, and


             338      welfare, based on the licensee's education, training, experience, knowledge, and financial
             339      responsibility.
             340          (2) (a) The work and scope of practice covered by this Subsection (2) is the
             341      installation, repair, or replacement of a residential or commercial gas appliance or combustion
             342      system.
             343          (b) The provisions of this Subsection (2) apply to any:
             344          (i) licensee under this chapter whose license authorizes the licensee to perform the
             345      work described in Subsection (2)(a); and
             346          (ii) person exempt from licensure under Subsection 58-55-305 (1)(h).
             347          (c) Any person described in Subsection (2)(b) that performs work described in
             348      Subsection (2)(a):
             349          (i) must first receive training and certification as specified in rules adopted by the
             350      division; and
             351          (ii) shall ensure that any employee authorized under other provisions of this chapter to
             352      perform work described in Subsection (2)(a) has first received training and certification as
             353      specified in rules adopted by the division.
             354          (d) The division may exempt from the training requirements adopted under Subsection
             355      (2)(c) a person that has adequate experience, as determined by the division.
             356          [(e)] (3) The division [shall] may exempt the following individuals from [initial] the
             357      certification requirements adopted under Subsection (2)(c):
             358          (a) a person who has passed a test equivalent to the level of testing required by the
             359      division for certification, or has completed an apprenticeship program that teaches the
             360      installation of gas line appliances and is approved by the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship
             361      Training[.]; and
             362          (b) a person working under the immediate one-to-one supervision of a certified natural
             363      gas technician or a person exempt from certification.
             364          [(3)] (4) This section does not prohibit a licensed specialty contractor from accepting
             365      and entering into a contract involving the use of two or more crafts or trades if the performance
             366      of the work in the crafts or trades, other than that in which the contractor is licensed, is
             367      incidental and supplemental to the work for which the contractor is licensed.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-25-03 3:02 PM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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