2006 Legislation
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HOUSE BILL NO. 761 – Electrical/plumber/HVAC, bonds

HOUSE BILL NO. 761

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H0761aa....................................................by STATE AFFAIRS
CONTRACTOR LICENSING - BONDS - Amends existing law relating to contractor
licensing to authorize the Idaho Electrical Board to set forth bonding
requirements and to set forth license application requirements; to revise
powers and duties of the Idaho Plumbing Board and to set forth license
application requirements; and to revise provisions applicable to
requirements for certificates of competency for heating, ventilation and
air conditioning contractors and specialty contractors.
                                                                        
03/02    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
03/03    Rpt prt - to Bus
03/16    Rpt out - to Gen Ord
03/28    Rpt out amen - to engros
03/29    Rpt engros - 1st rdg - to 2nd rdg as amen
03/30    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg as amen
    Rls susp - PASSED - 40-26-4
      AYES -- Anderson, Barraclough, Bastian, Bell, Bilbao, Black, Block,
      Boe, Bradford, Chadderdon, Collins, Deal, Edmunson, Ellsworth,
      Eskridge, Field(18), Garrett, Henbest, Henderson, Jaquet, LeFavour,
      Martinez, Miller, Mitchell, Nonini, Pasley-Stuart, Pence, Ring,
      Ringo, Rusche, Rydalch, Sayler, Shepherd(2), Skippen, Smith(30),
      Smith(24), Snodgrass, Stevenson, Trail, Wills
      NAYS -- Andrus, Barrett, Bayer, Bedke, Bolz, Brackett, Cannon, Clark,
      Crow, Denney, Field(23), Hart, Harwood, Lake, Loertscher, Mathews,
      McKague, Moyle, Nielsen, Raybould, Roberts, Sali, Schaefer,
      Shepherd(8), Shirley, Wood
      Absent and excused -- Kemp, McGeachin, Smylie, Mr. Speaker
    Floor Sponsor - Black
    Title apvd - to Senate
03/31    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to Com/HuRes

Bill Text


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-eighth Legislature                   Second Regular Session - 2006
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                                                        
                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 761
                                                                        
                                 BY STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO CONTRACTOR LICENSING; AMENDING SECTION  54-1003,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO
  3        REQUIRE THAT LICENSE APPLICATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND SPECIALTY
  4        ELECTRICAL  CONTRACTORS BE ACCOMPANIED BY A BOND, TO SET AN AMOUNT FOR THE
  5        BOND, TO PROVIDE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, TO REQUIRE THAT  SUCH  APPLICATIONS
  6        BE  ACCOMPANIED BY PROOF OF LIABILITY INSURANCE, TO SET AN AMOUNT FOR SUCH
  7        INSURANCE AND TO REQUIRE THAT SUCH APPLICATIONS BE ACCOMPANIED BY PROOF OF
  8        WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE, IF APPLICABLE; AMENDING SECTION  54-2606,
  9        IDAHO  CODE, TO DELETE LANGUAGE RELATING TO BONDS, TO REQUIRE THAT LICENSE
 10        APPLICATIONS FROM PLUMBING CONTRACTORS BE ACCOMPANIED BY A BOND, TO SET AN
 11        AMOUNT FOR THE BOND, TO PROVIDE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, TO REQUIRE THAT SUCH
 12        APPLICATIONS BE ACCOMPANIED BY PROOF OF LIABILITY  INSURANCE,  TO  SET  AN
 13        AMOUNT  FOR SUCH INSURANCE AND TO REQUIRE THAT SUCH APPLICATIONS BE ACCOM-
 14        PANIED BY PROOF OF WORKER'S COMPENSATION  INSURANCE,  IF  APPLICABLE;  AND
 15        AMENDING  SECTION  54-5007,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO  DELETE LANGUAGE RELATING TO
 16        BONDS, TO REQUIRE THAT LICENSE APPLICATIONS FROM HEATING, VENTILATION  AND
 17        AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS AND SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS BE ACCOMPANIED BY A
 18        BOND,  TO  SET AN AMOUNT FOR THE BOND, TO PROVIDE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, TO
 19        REQUIRE THAT SUCH APPLICATIONS BE ACCOMPANIED BY PROOF OF LIABILITY INSUR-
 20        ANCE, TO SET THE AMOUNT FOR SUCH INSURANCE AND TO REQUIRE THAT SUCH APPLI-
 21        CATIONS BE ACCOMPANIED BY PROOF OF  WORKER'S  COMPENSATION  INSURANCE,  IF
 22        APPLICABLE.
                                                                        
 23    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 24        SECTION  1.  That  Section 54-1003, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 25    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 26        54-1003.  ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY. (1) Only the administrator of the divi-
 27    sion of building safety of the state of Idaho is authorized and  empowered  to
 28    conduct examinations and to pass upon the qualifications of applicants, and to
 29    grant  and  issue licenses or registrations to such applicants as are found to
 30    be qualified to engage in the trade, business or calling of a journeyman elec-
 31    trician, electrical contractor,  master  electrician,  specialty  electrician,
 32    specialty  electrical  contractor,  specialty electrical trainee or apprentice
 33    electrician  in the manner and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter  pro-
 34    vided.
 35        (2)  License applications for electrical and specialty electrical contrac-
 36    tors  shall  be  accompanied  by  a bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars
 37    ($10,000) executed by a surety company authorized to do business in  Idaho  as
 38    surety  with the applicant as principal and the state of Idaho as obligee, for
 39    its benefit and that of consumers dealing with the applicant, conditioned that
 40    the applicant shall faithfully perform the duties and  in  all  things  comply
 41    with  the laws and rules pertaining to the license or registration applied for
 42    and shall pay all amounts due to the consumer for reason of  the  contractor's
 43    breach  of contract including negligent or improper work in the conduct of the
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1    contracting business or failure to fully perform a contract. In  order  for  a
  2    claim  to  be  payable by the surety, it must be established that the claim is
  3    within the scope of the bond as described in this subsection; however,  it  is
  4    not necessary for a claimant to reduce a claim to judgment before submitting a
  5    claim to the surety.
  6        The  bond shall be continuous unless canceled as provided for in this sub-
  7    section, and the aggregate liability of the surety, regardless of  the  number
  8    of  claims  made  against  the bond or the number of years the bond remains in
  9    force, shall in no event exceed the amount of the bond. The bond may be termi-
 10    nated at any time by the surety upon sending thirty (30) days' notice in writ-
 11    ing to the state of Idaho at the office where the bond is  filed  and  to  the
 12    contractor.
 13        (3)  License  applications  for electrical contractors and specialty elec-
 14    trical contractors shall also be accompanied by proof of  liability  insurance
 15    in  the  amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) and proof of wor-
 16    ker's compensation insurance, if applicable.
 17        (4)  No licenses granted hereunder shall be transferable.  Licenses  shall
 18    be  issued  upon  the  condition that the holder thereof shall comply with all
 19    provisions of this chapter.
 20        (35)  The administrator of the division of building safety  is  authorized
 21    to impose civil penalties as provided in this chapter.
                                                                        
 22        SECTION  2.  That  Section 54-2606, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 23    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 24        54-2606.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE IDAHO PLUMBING  BOARD.  (1)  The  board
 25    shall have the general administration and supervision of the design, construc-
 26    tion,  installation,  improvement,  extension  and  alteration of plumbing and
 27    plumbing systems, except  that  which  has  been  heretofore  and  hereinafter
 28    exempted  from  the  jurisdiction of this board, in connection with all build-
 29    ings, residences and structures in this state including buildings,  residences
 30    and structures owned by the state or any political subdivision thereof.
 31        (2)  The  division  of building safety shall enforce the minimum standards
 32    and requirements therefor as provided by this chapter.
 33        (3)  The board may exercise such powers and duties as are reasonably  nec-
 34    essary  to  carry  out  the provisions of this chapter, and it may among other
 35    things:
 36        (a)  Establish the fees to be  charged  for  permits  and  inspections  of
 37        plumbing systems.
 38        (b)  Hold  public  meetings and attend or be represented at such meetings,
 39        within or without the state, prepare and publish rules pertaining to  this
 40        chapter,  and such other information as may be necessary, and furnish cop-
 41        ies thereof to those engaged in the business, trade, practice or  work  of
 42        plumbing and pipefitting and to the public upon request.
 43        (c)  Furnish  standards  and procedures and prescribe reasonable rules for
 44        examinations, qualification and certification of plumbing contractors  and
 45        journeymen  and  apprentice plumbers not herein prescribed., including the
 46        furnishing of a compliance bond in an amount not to  exceed  two  thousand
 47        dollars  ($2,000)  for  the  contractor classification or evidence of such
 48        coverage by a corporate industry group bond acceptable to the board.
 49        (d)  Furnish standards and procedures and prescribe  reasonable  rules  to
 50        provide for the certification of specialty contractors, specialty journey-
 51        men,  and  specialty apprentices, including the furnishing of a compliance
 52        bond in an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) for the spe-
 53        cialty contractor classification or evidence of coverage  by  a  corporate
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1        industry group bond acceptable to the board.
  2        (e)  Establish  by  administrative  rule civil penalties not to exceed one
  3        thousand dollars ($1,000) for each count or separate offense, to  be  paid
  4        for  violations of this chapter and rules of the Idaho plumbing board; and
  5        to establish by administrative rule the process by which appeals from  the
  6        imposition  of  civil  penalties  may be heard. The board is authorized to
  7        affirm, reject, decrease or increase the  penalty  imposed;  however,  the
  8        board  shall  not  increase any penalty imposed to an amount exceeding one
  9        thousand  dollars ($1,000) for each individual count or separate offense.
 10        (f)  License applications for plumbing contractors shall be accompanied by
 11        a bond in the amount of ten  thousand  dollars  ($10,000)  executed  by  a
 12        surety  company  authorized  to  do  business  in Idaho as surety with the
 13        applicant as principal and the state of Idaho as obligee, for its  benefit
 14        and  that  of  consumers  dealing with the applicant, conditioned that the
 15        applicant shall faithfully perform the duties and  in  all  things  comply
 16        with  the  laws  and rules pertaining to the license applied for and shall
 17        pay all amounts due to the consumer for reason of the contractor's  breach
 18        of  contract  including  negligent  or improper work in the conduct of the
 19        contracting business or failure to fully perform a contract. In order  for
 20        a claim to be payable by the surety, it must be established that the claim
 21        is  within  the scope of the bond as described in this paragraph; however,
 22        it is not necessary for a claimant to reduce a claim  to  judgment  before
 23        submitting a claim to the surety. The bond shall be continuous unless can-
 24        celed  as  provided  for in this paragraph, and the aggregate liability of
 25        the surety, regardless of the number of claims made against  the  bond  or
 26        the  number  of  years the bond remains in force, shall in no event exceed
 27        the amount of the bond. The bond may be terminated  at  any  time  by  the
 28        surety  upon  sending  thirty (30) days' notice in writing to the state of
 29        Idaho at the office where the bond is filed and to the contractor.
 30        (g)  License applications for plumbing contractors shall also be  accompa-
 31        nied  by proof of liability insurance in the amount of three hundred thou-
 32        sand dollars ($300,000) and proof of worker's compensation  insurance,  if
 33        applicable.
                                                                        
 34        SECTION  3.  That  Section 54-5007, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 35    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 36        54-5007.  REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY. (1) The Idaho heat-
 37    ing, ventilation and air conditioning board shall provide standards and proce-
 38    dures and prescribe reasonable rules for examination, qualification and certi-
 39    fication of heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors, journeymen,
 40    apprentices, specialty contractors, specialty journeymen and specialty appren-
 41    tices. HVAC contractors and specialty contractors shall provide a bond in  the
 42    amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000) or evidence of such coverage by a cor-
 43    porate industry group bond acceptable to the board.
 44        (2)  Applications  for certificates of competency for heating, ventilation
 45    and air conditioning contractors and specialty contractors shall  be  accompa-
 46    nied  by  a bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) executed by a
 47    surety company authorized to do business in Idaho as surety with the applicant
 48    as principal and the state of Idaho as obligee, for its benefit  and  that  of
 49    consumers  dealing  with  the  applicant, conditioned that the applicant shall
 50    faithfully perform the duties and in all things comply with the laws and rules
 51    pertaining to the license applied for and shall pay all  amounts  due  to  the
 52    consumer for reason of the contractor's breach of contract including negligent
 53    or  improper  work  in  the  conduct of the contracting business or failure to
                                                                        
                                           4
                                                                        
  1    fully perform a contract. In order for a claim to be payable by the surety, it
  2    must be established that the  claim  is  within  the  scope  of  the  bond  as
  3    described  in  this subsection; however, it is not necessary for a claimant to
  4    reduce a claim to judgment before submitting a claim to the surety.
  5        The bond shall be continuous unless canceled as provided for in this  sub-
  6    section and the aggregate liability of the surety, regardless of the number of
  7    claims made against the bond or the number of years the bond remains in force,
  8    shall in no event exceed the amount of the bond. The bond may be terminated at
  9    any time by the surety upon sending thirty (30) days' notice in writing to the
 10    state of Idaho at the office where the bond is filed and to the contractor.
 11        (3)  License  applications  for  heating, ventilation and air conditioning
 12    contractors and specialty contractors shall also be accompanied  by  proof  of
 13    liability insurance in the amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000)
 14    and proof of worker's compensation insurance, if applicable.

Amendment


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-eighth Legislature                   Second Regular Session - 2006
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                     Moved by    Deal                
                                                                        
                                                     Seconded by Black               
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                              HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO H.B. NO. 761
                                                                        
  1                               AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 1
  2        On page 1 of the printed bill, in line 24, delete  "54-1003"  and  insert:
  3    "54-1006"; delete lines 26 through 43, and on page 2 delete lines 1 through 21
  4    and insert:
                                                                        
  5        "54-1006.  IDAHO ELECTRICAL BOARD. (1) The Idaho electrical board, herein-
  6    after known as the board, is hereby created and made a part of the division of
  7    building  safety. It shall be the responsibility and duty of the administrator
  8    of the division of building safety to administer and enforce the provisions of
  9    this act chapter, and to serve as secretary to the Idaho electrical board.
 10        (2)  The board shall consist of nine (9) members to be  appointed  by  the
 11    governor  with  power  of removal for cause. Two (2) members shall be licensed
 12    journeymen or master electricians; two (2) members shall be employees or offi-
 13    cers of licensed electrical contractors; one (1) member shall  be  a  licensed
 14    specialty  journeyman  or  contractor;  one (1) member shall be an employee or
 15    officer of an electrical power provider; one (1) member shall be  an  employee
 16    or  officer of a manufacturing plant or other large power user; one (1) member
 17    shall be an employee or director of a manufacturer or distributor of  electri-
 18    cal  supplies  or  materials;  and  one (1) member shall be from the public at
 19    large not directly associated with  the  electrical  industry.  Board  members
 20    shall  be  appointed  for a term of four (4) years. Members of the board shall
 21    hold office until expiration of the term to which the member was appointed and
 22    until his successor has been duly appointed and qualified. Whenever a  vacancy
 23    occurs,  the governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for
 24    the unexpired portion of the term.
 25        (3)  All members of the board shall be citizens of the United States, res-
 26    idents of this state for not less than two (2) years and shall be qualified by
 27    experience, knowledge and integrity in formulating rules for examinations,  in
 28    passing  on  the  fitness and qualifications of applicants for electrical con-
 29    tractor and journeyman electrician licenses and in establishing standards  for
 30    electrical  products  to  be used in electrical installations coming under the
 31    provisions of this act chapter.
 32        (4)  The members of the board shall, at their first regular  meeting  fol-
 33    lowing  the  effective  date  of  this act and every two (2) years thereafter,
 34    elect by majority vote of the members of the board, a chairman who shall  pre-
 35    side at meetings of the board. In the event the chairman is not present at any
 36    board meeting, the board may by majority vote of the members present appoint a
 37    temporary  chairman. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a
 38    quorum.
 39        (5)  The board is authorized and directed to  prescribe  and  amend  rules
 40    consistent with this act chapter for the administration of this chapter and to
 41    effectuate the purpose thereof, and for the examination and licensing of elec-
 42    trical  contractors,  journeyman  electricians, master electricians, specialty
 43    electricians, specialty electrical contractors, specialty electrical  trainees
                                                                        
                                          2
                                                                        
  1    and  apprentice  electricians.  The board shall also establish the classifica-
  2    tions for specialty electrician and specialty electrical contractor  licensing
  3    and  the fees to be charged for permits and inspections of electrical systems.
  4    The board shall establish by administrative rule the  fines  to  be  paid  for
  5    citations issued and shall hear appeals regarding the imposition of civil pen-
  6    alties  for  violations  of this chapter and the rules of the Idaho electrical
  7    board. The board is authorized to affirm, reject,  decrease  or  increase  the
  8    penalty  imposed  by  the administrator. However, in no case shall the penalty
  9    exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense.
 10        (6)  Each member of the board not otherwise compensated by  public  moneys
 11    shall be compensated as provided by section 59-509(h), Idaho Code.
 12        (7)  The  board  shall  require  applicants  for issuance or renewal of an
 13    electrical or specialty electrical contractor license to file with the board a
 14    bond with one (1) or more corporate surety companies authorized to do business
 15    in this state as follows:
 16        (a)  The bond shall be conditioned that an electrical or  specialty  elec-
 17        trical contractor faithfully comply with applicable rules of the board and
 18        the  terms  of  any contract that may be included within the scope of such
 19        bond as may be determined by the board. The board  shall  adopt  rules  to
 20        implement the provisions of this paragraph (a);
 21        (b)  The  bond  shall  be in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000),
 22        executed by a surety company with the applicant as principal and the state
 23        of Idaho as obligee, for its benefit and that of  consumers  dealing  with
 24        the  applicant;  provided  however, the board may reduce the amount of the
 25        bond required by this paragraph (b) to five thousand dollars ($5,000) upon
 26        a showing that the applicant does not perform work exceeding  forty  thou-
 27        sand dollars ($40,000) in gross annual volume and does not enter into con-
 28        tracts with consumers that exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000);
 29        (c)  A  surety company shall pay all amounts due to a consumer pursuant to
 30        a bond, provided that the board has determined that:
 31             (i)   An electrical or specialty electrical contractor has failed  to
 32             comply with any applicable rule adopted by the board; or
 33             (ii)  An electrical or specialty electrical contractor has breached a
 34             contract with a consumer, including negligent or improper work in the
 35             conduct  of  the  contracting  business or failure to fully perform a
 36             contract, provided that such contract is  within  the  scope  of  the
 37             bond;
 38        (d)  In  order for a claim to be payable by the surety company, it must be
 39        established that the claim is within the scope of  the  bond  provided  in
 40        this  subsection (7); provided however, it is not necessary for a consumer
 41        to reduce a claim to judgment through a court  of  competent  jurisdiction
 42        before submitting a claim to a surety company;
 43        (e)  A  bond  shall  be continuous unless canceled as provided for in this
 44        subsection (7), and the aggregate liability of a surety  company,  regard-
 45        less  of the number of claims made against the bond or the number of years
 46        the bond remains in force, shall in no event  exceed  the  amount  of  the
 47        bond; and
 48        (f)  The  bond  may  be terminated at any time by the contractor. A surety
 49        company may terminate the bond on the anniversary date of  the  bond  upon
 50        providing thirty (30) days' written notice to the board and to an electri-
 51        cal  or  specialty  electrical  contractor on whose behalf a bond has been
 52        issued.
 53        (8)  License applications for electrical contractors and  specialty  elec-
 54    trical contractors shall be accompanied by proof of liability insurance in the
 55    amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) and proof of worker's com-
                                                                        
                                          3
                                                                        
  1    pensation insurance, if applicable.".
                                                                        
  2                               AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 2
  3        On  page  2,  delete lines 51 through 53; and on page 3, delete line 1 and
  4    insert: "men, and specialty apprentices, including the furnishing of a compli-
  5    ance bond in an amount not to exceed two thousand  dollars  ($2,000)  for  the
  6    specialty  contractor  classification  or  evidence of coverage by a corporate
  7    industry group bond acceptable to the board."; also on page 3, delete lines 10
  8    through 29 and insert:
  9        "(f)  Require applicants for issuance or renewal of a plumbing  contractor
 10        license  to  file  with  the  board  a bond with one (1) or more corporate
 11        surety companies authorized to do business in this state as follows:
 12             (i)   The bond shall be conditioned that a plumbing contractor faith-
 13             fully comply with applicable rules of the board and the terms of  any
 14             contract that may be included within the scope of such bond as may be
 15             determined by the board. The board shall adopt rules to implement the
 16             provisions of this paragraph (f)(i);
 17             (ii)  The  bond  shall  be  in  the  amount  of  ten thousand dollars
 18             ($10,000), executed by a surety company with the applicant as princi-
 19             pal and the state of Idaho as obligee, for its benefit  and  that  of
 20             consumers dealing with the applicant; provided however, the board may
 21             reduce the amount of the bond required by this paragraph (ii) to five
 22             thousand  dollars ($5,000) upon a showing that the applicant does not
 23             perform work exceeding forty  thousand  dollars  ($40,000)  in  gross
 24             annual  volume  and does not enter into contracts with consumers that
 25             exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000);
 26             (iii) A surety company shall pay all amounts due to a consumer pursu-
 27             ant to a bond, provided that the board has determined that:
 28                  (A)  A plumbing contractor has failed to comply with any  appli-
 29                  cable rule adopted by the board; or
 30                  (B)  A  plumbing  contractor has breached a contract with a con-
 31                  sumer, including negligent or improper work in  the  conduct  of
 32                  the contracting business or failure to fully perform a contract,
 33                  provided that such contract is within the scope of the bond;
 34             (iv)  In  order  for  a claim to be payable by the surety company, it
 35             must be established that the claim is within the scope  of  the  bond
 36             provided in this paragraph (f); provided however, it is not necessary
 37             for  a consumer to reduce a claim to judgment through a court of com-
 38             petent jurisdiction before submitting a claim to a surety company;
 39             (v)  A bond shall be continuous unless canceled as  provided  for  in
 40             this  paragraph (f), and the aggregate liability of a surety company,
 41             regardless of the number of claims made against the bond or the  num-
 42             ber  of years the bond remains in force, shall in no event exceed the
 43             amount of the bond; and
 44             (vi)  The bond may be terminated at any time  by  the  contractor.  A
 45             surety  company may terminate the bond on the anniversary date of the
 46             bond upon providing thirty (30) days' written notice to the board and
 47             to the plumbing contractor on whose behalf a bond has been issued.".
                                                                        
 48                               AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 3
 49        On page 3, delete lines 44 through 53; and  on  page  4,  delete  lines  1
 50    through 10 and insert:
 51        "(2)  The  board  shall  require  applicants  for issuance or renewal of a
 52    heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor or  specialty  contractor
 53    certificate  of  competency to file with the board a bond with one (1) or more
                                                                        
                                          4
                                                                        
  1    corporate surety companies authorized to do business in this state as follows:
  2        (a)  The bond shall be conditioned that a  heating,  ventilation  and  air
  3        conditioning  contractor  or  specialty  contractor faithfully comply with
  4        applicable rules of the board and the terms of any contract  that  may  be
  5        included  within the scope of such bond as may be determined by the board.
  6        The board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this  paragraph
  7        (a);
  8        (b)  The  bond  shall  be in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000),
  9        executed by a surety company with the applicant as principal and the state
 10        of Idaho as obligee, for its benefit and that of  consumers  dealing  with
 11        the  applicant;  provided  however, the board may reduce the amount of the
 12        bond required by this paragraph (b) to five thousand dollars ($5,000) upon
 13        a showing that the applicant does not perform work exceeding  forty  thou-
 14        sand dollars ($40,000) in gross annual volume and does not enter into con-
 15        tracts with consumers that exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000);
 16        (c)  A  surety company shall pay all amounts due to a consumer pursuant to
 17        a bond, provided that the board has determined that:
 18             (i)   A heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor or  spe-
 19             cialty  contractor  has  failed  to  comply  with any applicable rule
 20             adopted by the board; or
 21             (ii)  A heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor or  spe-
 22             cialty  contractor has breached a contract with a consumer, including
 23             negligent or improper work in the conduct of the contracting business
 24             or failure to fully perform a contract, provided that  such  contract
 25             is within the scope of the bond;
 26        (d)  In  order for a claim to be payable by the surety company, it must be
 27        established that the claim is within the scope of  the  bond  provided  in
 28        this  subsection (2); provided however, it is not necessary for a consumer
 29        to reduce a claim to judgment through a court  of  competent  jurisdiction
 30        before submitting a claim to a surety company;
 31        (e)  A  bond  shall  be continuous unless canceled as provided for in this
 32        subsection (2), and the aggregate liability of a surety  company,  regard-
 33        less  of the number of claims made against the bond or the number of years
 34        the bond remains in force, shall in no event  exceed  the  amount  of  the
 35        bond; and
 36        (f)  The  bond  may  be terminated at any time by the contractor. A surety
 37        company may terminate the bond on the anniversary date of  the  bond  upon
 38        providing  thirty (30) days' written notice to the board and to a heating,
 39        ventilation and air conditioning contractor  or  specialty  contractor  on
 40        whose behalf a bond has been issued.";
 41    also  on page 4, in line 11, delete "License" and insert: "Certificate of com-
 42    petency".
                                                                        
 43                                AMENDMENT TO THE BILL
 44        On page 4, following line 14, insert:
 45        "SECTION 4.  This act shall be in full force and effect on and after  July
 46    1, 2007.".
                                                                        
 47                                 CORRECTIONS TO TITLE
 48        On page 1, delete lines 2 through 22 and insert:
 49    "RELATING  TO  CONTRACTOR  LICENSING; AMENDING SECTION 54-1006, IDAHO CODE, TO
 50        AUTHORIZE THE IDAHO ELECTRICAL BOARD TO SET FORTH BONDING REQUIREMENTS, TO
 51        SET FORTH LICENSE APPLICATION  REQUIREMENTS  AND  TO  REVISE  TERMINOLOGY;
 52        AMENDING  SECTION  54-2606, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF
 53        THE IDAHO PLUMBING BOARD AND TO SET  FORTH  LICENSE  APPLICATION  REQUIRE-
                                                                        
                                          5
                                                                        
  1        MENTS; AMENDING SECTION 54-5007, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICA-
  2        BLE  TO  REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY FOR HEATING, VENTILA-
  3        TION AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS AND SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS; AND  PRO-
  4        VIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.".

Engrossed Bill (Original Bill with Amendment(s) Incorporated)


                                                                        
                                                                        
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-eighth Legislature                   Second Regular Session - 2006
                                                                        
                                                                        
                              IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                                                        
                               HOUSE BILL NO. 761, As Amended
                                                                        
                                 BY STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO CONTRACTOR LICENSING; AMENDING SECTION 54-1006, IDAHO CODE, TO AU-
  3        THORIZE THE IDAHO ELECTRICAL BOARD TO SET FORTH BONDING  REQUIREMENTS,  TO
  4        SET  FORTH  LICENSE  APPLICATION  REQUIREMENTS  AND TO REVISE TERMINOLOGY;
  5        AMENDING SECTION 54-2606, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE THE POWERS AND  DUTIES  OF
  6        THE  IDAHO  PLUMBING  BOARD  AND TO SET FORTH LICENSE APPLICATION REQUIRE-
  7        MENTS; AMENDING SECTION 54-5007, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PROVISIONS APPLICA-
  8        BLE TO REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY FOR  HEATING,  VENTILA-
  9        TION  AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS AND SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS; AND PRO-
 10        VIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
                                                                        
 11    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 12        SECTION 1.  That Section 54-1006, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 13    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 14        54-1006.  IDAHO  ELECTRICAL BOARD. (1) The Idaho electrical board, herein-
 15    after known as the board, is hereby created and made a part of the division of
 16    building safety. It shall be the responsibility and duty of the  administrator
 17    of the division of building safety to administer and enforce the provisions of
 18    this act chapter, and to serve as secretary to the Idaho electrical board.
 19        (2)  The  board  shall  consist of nine (9) members to be appointed by the
 20    governor with power of removal for cause. Two (2) members  shall  be  licensed
 21    journeymen or master electricians; two (2) members shall be employees or offi-
 22    cers  of  licensed  electrical contractors; one (1) member shall be a licensed
 23    specialty journeyman or contractor; one (1) member shall  be  an  employee  or
 24    officer  of  an electrical power provider; one (1) member shall be an employee
 25    or officer of a manufacturing plant or other large power user; one (1)  member
 26    shall  be an employee or director of a manufacturer or distributor of electri-
 27    cal supplies or materials; and one (1) member shall  be  from  the  public  at
 28    large  not  directly  associated  with  the electrical industry. Board members
 29    shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years. Members of  the  board  shall
 30    hold office until expiration of the term to which the member was appointed and
 31    until  his successor has been duly appointed and qualified. Whenever a vacancy
 32    occurs, the governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy  for
 33    the unexpired portion of the term.
 34        (3)  All members of the board shall be citizens of the United States, res-
 35    idents of this state for not less than two (2) years and shall be qualified by
 36    experience,  knowledge and integrity in formulating rules for examinations, in
 37    passing on the fitness and qualifications of applicants  for  electrical  con-
 38    tractor  and journeyman electrician licenses and in establishing standards for
 39    electrical products to be used in electrical installations  coming  under  the
 40    provisions of this act chapter.
 41        (4)  The  members  of the board shall, at their first regular meeting fol-
 42    lowing the effective date of this act and  every  two  (2)  years  thereafter,
 43    elect  by majority vote of the members of the board, a chairman who shall pre-
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1    side at meetings of the board. In the event the chairman is not present at any
  2    board meeting, the board may by majority vote of the members present appoint a
  3    temporary chairman. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute  a
  4    quorum.
  5        (5)  The  board  is  authorized  and directed to prescribe and amend rules
  6    consistent with this act chapter for the administration of this chapter and to
  7    effectuate the purpose thereof, and for the examination and licensing of elec-
  8    trical contractors, journeyman electricians,  master  electricians,  specialty
  9    electricians,  specialty electrical contractors, specialty electrical trainees
 10    and apprentice electricians. The board shall also  establish  the  classifica-
 11    tions  for specialty electrician and specialty electrical contractor licensing
 12    and the fees to be charged for permits and inspections of electrical  systems.
 13    The  board  shall  establish  by  administrative rule the fines to be paid for
 14    citations issued and shall hear appeals regarding the imposition of civil pen-
 15    alties for violations of this chapter and the rules of  the  Idaho  electrical
 16    board.  The  board  is  authorized to affirm, reject, decrease or increase the
 17    penalty imposed by the administrator. However, in no case  shall  the  penalty
 18    exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense.
 19        (6)  Each  member  of the board not otherwise compensated by public moneys
 20    shall be compensated as provided by section 59-509(h), Idaho Code.
 21        (7)  The board shall require applicants for  issuance  or  renewal  of  an
 22    electrical or specialty electrical contractor license to file with the board a
 23    bond with one (1) or more corporate surety companies authorized to do business
 24    in this state as follows:
 25        (a)  The  bond  shall be conditioned that an electrical or specialty elec-
 26        trical contractor faithfully comply with applicable rules of the board and
 27        the terms of any contract that may be included within the  scope  of  such
 28        bond  as  may  be  determined by the board. The board shall adopt rules to
 29        implement the provisions of this paragraph (a);
 30        (b)  The bond shall be in the amount of ten  thousand  dollars  ($10,000),
 31        executed by a surety company with the applicant as principal and the state
 32        of  Idaho  as  obligee, for its benefit and that of consumers dealing with
 33        the applicant; provided however, the board may reduce the  amount  of  the
 34        bond required by this paragraph (b) to five thousand dollars ($5,000) upon
 35        a  showing  that the applicant does not perform work exceeding forty thou-
 36        sand dollars ($40,000) in gross annual volume and does not enter into con-
 37        tracts with consumers that exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000);
 38        (c)  A surety company shall pay all amounts due to a consumer pursuant  to
 39        a bond, provided that the board has determined that:
 40             (i)   An  electrical or specialty electrical contractor has failed to
 41             comply with any applicable rule adopted by the board; or
 42             (ii)  An electrical or specialty electrical contractor has breached a
 43             contract with a consumer, including negligent or improper work in the
 44             conduct of the contracting business or failure  to  fully  perform  a
 45             contract,  provided  that  such  contract  is within the scope of the
 46             bond;
 47        (d)  In order for a claim to be payable by the surety company, it must  be
 48        established  that  the  claim  is within the scope of the bond provided in
 49        this subsection (7); provided however, it is not necessary for a  consumer
 50        to  reduce  a  claim to judgment through a court of competent jurisdiction
 51        before submitting a claim to a surety company;
 52        (e)  A bond shall be continuous unless canceled as provided  for  in  this
 53        subsection  (7),  and the aggregate liability of a surety company, regard-
 54        less of the number of claims made against the bond or the number of  years
 55        the  bond  remains  in  force,  shall in no event exceed the amount of the
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1        bond; and
  2        (f)  The bond may be terminated at any time by the  contractor.  A  surety
  3        company  may  terminate  the bond on the anniversary date of the bond upon
  4        providing thirty (30) days' written notice to the board and to an electri-
  5        cal or specialty electrical contractor on whose behalf  a  bond  has  been
  6        issued.
  7        (8)  License  applications  for electrical contractors and specialty elec-
  8    trical contractors shall be accompanied by proof of liability insurance in the
  9    amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) and proof of worker's com-
 10    pensation insurance, if applicable.
                                                                        
 11        SECTION 2.  That Section 54-2606, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 12    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 13        54-2606.  POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  THE IDAHO PLUMBING BOARD. (1) The board
 14    shall have the general administration and supervision of the design, construc-
 15    tion, installation, improvement, extension  and  alteration  of  plumbing  and
 16    plumbing  systems,  except  that  which  has  been  heretofore and hereinafter
 17    exempted from the jurisdiction of this board, in connection  with  all  build-
 18    ings,  residences and structures in this state including buildings, residences
 19    and structures owned by the state or any political subdivision thereof.
 20        (2)  The division of building safety shall enforce the  minimum  standards
 21    and requirements therefor as provided by this chapter.
 22        (3)  The  board may exercise such powers and duties as are reasonably nec-
 23    essary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and  it  may  among  other
 24    things:
 25        (a)  Establish  the  fees  to  be  charged  for permits and inspections of
 26        plumbing systems.
 27        (b)  Hold public meetings and attend or be represented at  such  meetings,
 28        within  or without the state, prepare and publish rules pertaining to this
 29        chapter, and such other information as may be necessary, and furnish  cop-
 30        ies  thereof  to those engaged in the business, trade, practice or work of
 31        plumbing and pipefitting and to the public upon request.
 32        (c)  Furnish standards and procedures and prescribe reasonable  rules  for
 33        examinations,  qualification and certification of plumbing contractors and
 34        journeymen and apprentice plumbers not herein prescribed.,  including  the
 35        furnishing  of  a  compliance bond in an amount not to exceed two thousand
 36        dollars ($2,000) for the contractor classification  or  evidence  of  such
 37        coverage by a corporate industry group bond acceptable to the board.
 38        (d)  Furnish  standards  and  procedures and prescribe reasonable rules to
 39        provide for the certification of specialty contractors, specialty journey-
 40        men, and specialty apprentices, including the furnishing of  a  compliance
 41        bond in an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) for the spe-
 42        cialty  contractor  classification  or evidence of coverage by a corporate
 43        industry group bond acceptable to the board.
 44        (e)  Establish by administrative rule civil penalties not  to  exceed  one
 45        thousand  dollars  ($1,000) for each count or separate offense, to be paid
 46        for violations of this chapter and rules of the Idaho plumbing board;  and
 47        to  establish by administrative rule the process by which appeals from the
 48        imposition of civil penalties may be heard. The  board  is  authorized  to
 49        affirm,  reject,  decrease  or  increase the penalty imposed; however, the
 50        board shall not increase any penalty imposed to an  amount  exceeding  one
 51        thousand dollars ($1,000) for each individual count or separate offense.
 52        (f)  Require  applicants  for issuance or renewal of a plumbing contractor
 53        license to file with the board a bond  with  one  (1)  or  more  corporate
                                                                        
                                           4
                                                                        
  1        surety companies authorized to do business in this state as follows:
  2             (i)   The bond shall be conditioned that a plumbing contractor faith-
  3             fully  comply with applicable rules of the board and the terms of any
  4             contract that may be included within the scope of such bond as may be
  5             determined by the board. The board shall adopt rules to implement the
  6             provisions of this paragraph (f)(i);
  7             (ii)  The bond shall  be  in  the  amount  of  ten  thousand  dollars
  8             ($10,000), executed by a surety company with the applicant as princi-
  9             pal  and  the  state of Idaho as obligee, for its benefit and that of
 10             consumers dealing with the applicant; provided however, the board may
 11             reduce the amount of the bond required by this paragraph (ii) to five
 12             thousand dollars ($5,000) upon a showing that the applicant does  not
 13             perform  work  exceeding  forty  thousand  dollars ($40,000) in gross
 14             annual volume and does not enter into contracts with  consumers  that
 15             exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000);
 16             (iii) A surety company shall pay all amounts due to a consumer pursu-
 17             ant to a bond, provided that the board has determined that:
 18                  (A)  A  plumbing contractor has failed to comply with any appli-
 19                  cable rule adopted by the board; or
 20                  (B)  A plumbing contractor has breached a contract with  a  con-
 21                  sumer,  including  negligent  or improper work in the conduct of
 22                  the contracting business or failure to fully perform a contract,
 23                  provided that such contract is within the scope of the bond;
 24             (iv)  In order for a claim to be payable by the  surety  company,  it
 25             must  be  established  that the claim is within the scope of the bond
 26             provided in this paragraph (f); provided however, it is not necessary
 27             for a consumer to reduce a claim to judgment through a court of  com-
 28             petent jurisdiction before submitting a claim to a surety company;
 29             (v)  A  bond  shall  be continuous unless canceled as provided for in
 30             this paragraph (f), and the aggregate liability of a surety  company,
 31             regardless  of the number of claims made against the bond or the num-
 32             ber of years the bond remains in force, shall in no event exceed  the
 33             amount of the bond; and
 34             (vi)  The  bond  may  be  terminated at any time by the contractor. A
 35             surety company may terminate the bond on the anniversary date of  the
 36             bond upon providing thirty (30) days' written notice to the board and
 37             to the plumbing contractor on whose behalf a bond has been issued.
 38        (g)  License  applications for plumbing contractors shall also be accompa-
 39        nied by proof of liability insurance in the amount of three hundred  thou-
 40        sand  dollars  ($300,000) and proof of worker's compensation insurance, if
 41        applicable.
                                                                        
 42        SECTION 3.  That Section 54-5007, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 43    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 44        54-5007.  REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY. (1) The Idaho heat-
 45    ing, ventilation and air conditioning board shall provide standards and proce-
 46    dures and prescribe reasonable rules for examination, qualification and certi-
 47    fication of heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors, journeymen,
 48    apprentices, specialty contractors, specialty journeymen and specialty appren-
 49    tices.  HVAC contractors and specialty contractors shall provide a bond in the
 50    amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000) or evidence of such coverage by a cor-
 51    porate industry group bond acceptable to the board.
 52        (2)  The board shall require applicants for issuance or renewal of a heat-
 53    ing, ventilation and air conditioning contractor or specialty contractor  cer-
                                                                        
                                           5
                                                                        
  1    tificate of competency to file with the board a bond with one (1) or more cor-
  2    porate surety companies authorized to do business in this state as follows:
  3        (a)  The  bond  shall  be  conditioned that a heating, ventilation and air
  4        conditioning contractor or specialty  contractor  faithfully  comply  with
  5        applicable  rules  of  the board and the terms of any contract that may be
  6        included within the scope of such bond as may be determined by the  board.
  7        The  board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this paragraph
  8        (a);
  9        (b)  The bond shall be in the amount of ten  thousand  dollars  ($10,000),
 10        executed by a surety company with the applicant as principal and the state
 11        of  Idaho  as  obligee, for its benefit and that of consumers dealing with
 12        the applicant; provided however, the board may reduce the  amount  of  the
 13        bond required by this paragraph (b) to five thousand dollars ($5,000) upon
 14        a  showing  that the applicant does not perform work exceeding forty thou-
 15        sand dollars ($40,000) in gross annual volume and does not enter into con-
 16        tracts with consumers that exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000);
 17        (c)  A surety company shall pay all amounts due to a consumer pursuant  to
 18        a bond, provided that the board has determined that:
 19             (i)   A  heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor or spe-
 20             cialty contractor has failed  to  comply  with  any  applicable  rule
 21             adopted by the board; or
 22             (ii)  A  heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor or spe-
 23             cialty contractor has breached a contract with a consumer,  including
 24             negligent or improper work in the conduct of the contracting business
 25             or  failure  to fully perform a contract, provided that such contract
 26             is within the scope of the bond;
 27        (d)  In order for a claim to be payable by the surety company, it must  be
 28        established  that  the  claim  is within the scope of the bond provided in
 29        this subsection (2); provided however, it is not necessary for a  consumer
 30        to  reduce  a  claim to judgment through a court of competent jurisdiction
 31        before submitting a claim to a surety company;
 32        (e)  A bond shall be continuous unless canceled as provided  for  in  this
 33        subsection  (2),  and the aggregate liability of a surety company, regard-
 34        less of the number of claims made against the bond or the number of  years
 35        the  bond  remains  in  force,  shall in no event exceed the amount of the
 36        bond; and
 37        (f)  The bond may be terminated at any time by the  contractor.  A  surety
 38        company  may  terminate  the bond on the anniversary date of the bond upon
 39        providing thirty (30) days' written notice to the board and to a  heating,
 40        ventilation  and  air  conditioning  contractor or specialty contractor on
 41        whose behalf a bond has been issued.
 42        (3)  Certificate of competency applications for heating,  ventilation  and
 43    air  conditioning contractors and specialty contractors shall also be accompa-
 44    nied by proof of liability insurance in the amount of three  hundred  thousand
 45    dollars  ($300,000)  and proof of worker's compensation insurance, if applica-
 46    ble.
                                                                        
 47        SECTION 4.  This act shall be in full force and effect on and  after  July
 48    1, 2007.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



                       STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

                             RS 16193

This legislation will apply identical insurance and bonding
requirements to all electrical, plumbing, and heating and
ventilating ("HVAC") contractors.  Current Idaho code provisions
provide different requirements for different trades.  The new
bonding requirements in this legislation provide that a consumer
can obtain up to $10,000 for the failure of an electrical,
plumbing, or HVAC contractor to comply with applicable rules, codes
or statutory requirements or comply with the terms of a contract to
perform work.

The requirements provided by this bill are: (1) proof of worker's
compensation insurance, (2)proof of liability insurance in the
amount of $300,000, and(3) a surety bond in the amount of $10,000
payable to a consumer in the event the electrical, plumbing, or
HVAC contractor fails to meet the requirements of applicable codes
or rules.



                           FISCAL NOTE

There is no impact to the general fund.




Contact
Name: Rep. Max Black 
Phone: 332-1000

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                         H 761