HF3731

Purpose

• The bill aims to remove the Class A installer license from Minnesota’s electrical licensing system and to reorganize how electrical licensing is regulated, overseen by the Board of Electricity with ongoing support from the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.

Main Provisions

• Board responsibilities and rulemaking

  • The board can elect officers, adopt bylaws, and set meeting dates.
  • It must adopt the Minnesota Electrical Code (the most current National Electrical Code and its amendments) and handle interpretations, as specified in law.
  • It will create and enforce rules for licensure or registration of electrical workers, including electrical businesses, electrical contractors, master electricians, journeyworker electricians, Class A installer, Class B installer, power-limited technicians, and other related roles (with certain exceptions noted for specific license types).
  • It will establish continuing education requirements for licensed or registered individuals.
  • It will refer complaints to the commissioner about possible violations of electrical laws or rules.
  • It can approve per diem and expenses for its members, oversee license reciprocity agreements, and select members to serve on other state advisory bodies, and recommend license and certification fees.
  • The commissioner will coordinate rulemaking with other state boards and provide staff and resources to support the board.

• License expiration, renewal, and fees

  • The bill sets specific expiration dates for different licenses (e.g., master licenses, electrical contractor licenses, technology system contractor licenses, satellite system contractor licenses, and other personal licenses), with various expiration cycles (two-year or other multi-year periods) and one-year expirations for registrations of unlicensed individuals.
  • The renewal and fee framework includes treating certain registrations as entry-level licenses for fee calculation, and a fee of $100 for each filing of a certificate of responsible person.
  • It requires the commissioner to administer license issuance, renewal, and fees, with staff support from the board and coordination with existing statutes.

• Repeals and the old Class A installer framework

  • Repeals Minnesota Statutes sections 326B.31 subdivision 7 and 326B.33 subdivision 3.
  • The appendix repeals the old definitions and scope of the Class A installer, noting that as of December 1, 2007 no new Class A installer licenses would be issued. Current holders may retain, renew, and exercise the privileges of their Class A installer license, but no new licenses are issued after that date.

• Administrative and cross-board responsibilities

  • The Minnesota Electrical Code remains tied to the National Electrical Code, with amendments, and is part of the state’s rules under the board’s oversight.
  • The commissioner of labor and industry oversees administration and enforcement of the chapter and its rules (except as otherwise specified), with staff and space provided by the commissioner.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Elimination of the Class A installer license as a licensure category, and repeal of the old Class A installer provisions (no new Class A licenses after 2007; existing licenses may be renewed).
• Reorganization of license expiration schedules and fee structures for various license types and registrations.
• Expanded board authority to regulate licensure, continuing education, and rulemaking, with clear responsibilities for coordination with the commissioner and other boards.

Potential Implications (What this means in practice)

• People who previously held a Class A installer license will no longer be able to obtain new Class A licenses, effectively consolidating or shifting responsibilities to other license categories.
• The licensing system will have more defined renewal cycles and clearer fee rules, which could affect planning for licensees and employers.
• The board’s role in education and rulemaking may lead to updated training requirements and ongoing professional development for electricians and related workers.

Relevant Terms - Class A installer, Class B installer - Electrical contractor, master electrician, journeyworker electrician - Power limited technician, technology systems contractor, satellite system contractor - Minnesota Electrical Code, National Electrical Code, amendments - Board of Electricity (the board), Commissioner of Labor and Industry - Licensure, registration, continuing education - Per diem, expenses, reciprocity - Certificate of responsible person - Sections: 326B.32, 326B.33, 326B.31 (repealed provisions), old Class A installer definitions - Unlicensed individual registrations, fee calculations, rulemaking and oversight - Farmsteads and small towns (historical Class A scope)