HF4226 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Licensure of emergency restoration professionals and emergency restoration companies required, fees established, enforcement provided, rulemaking authorized, and money appropriated.
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Create a state licensure system for emergency restoration professionals and emergency restoration companies.
- Establish standards, fees, enforcement, and funding to oversee work that repairs buildings after sudden damage from events like water, fire, or smoke.
Key definitions and scope
- Emergency restoration services: restoration work at a building after sudden, unanticipated damage due to water, fire, smoke, or similar catastrophic events. Includes water extraction, drying, fire/smoke cleanup, deodorization, and removal of damaged materials.
- Direct supervision: a licensed professional must be physically present on-site to direct and oversee work.
- Commissioner: the Minnesota Department of Health, Commissioner of Health.
Licensure requirements for emergency restoration professionals (individuals)
- Effective January 1, 2028, anyone who performs emergency restoration services for compensation must be licensed as an emergency restoration professional.
- Licenses are non-transferable.
- Practice standards: work must follow recognized standards (AN S I I C RC S500 for water damage restoration and ANSIIICRC S700 for fire/smoke damage restoration or their successors).
- Initial licensure: apply to the commissioner, pay the applicable fee, and provide proof of certification.
- Required certifications: active certification in water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, and structural drying from IICRC or another commissioner-approved organization.
- License term: valid for one year from issuance or renewal.
- License renewal: renew at least 30 days before expiration and show continued active certification.
Exemptions from licensure (professionals)
- Exempt if working under direct supervision for an emergency restoration company.
- Exempt if performing routine cleaning, general remodeling, or construction not related to a damage event.
- Exempt if reconstructing or repairing building materials after emergency restoration work is completed.
Licensure requirements for emergency restoration companies (businesses)
- Effective January 1, 2028, a business that employs or contracts with people to perform emergency restoration services must be licensed as an emergency restoration company.
- Company license is non-transferable.
- The company must employ or contract with at least one responsible emergency restoration professional licensed under this section.
Initial licensure and renewal for companies
- Initial licensure: apply to the commissioner, pay the fee, and meet requirements.
- License term: valid for one year from issuance or renewal.
- Renewal: renew at least 30 days before expiration, with the appropriate fee.
Fees
- Emergency restoration professional: $150 per year (initial licensure and renewal).
- Emergency restoration company: $100 per year (initial licensure and renewal).
- Fees are nonrefundable and must be deposited to the state treasury and credited to the state government special revenue fund.
Rulemaking and enforcement
- The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this licensure program.
- The commissioner will enforce this section under related health department enforcement provisions.
Related statutory changes and funding
- The Legislature amends existing remedies and enforcement references to align with the new licensure provisions.
- An appropriation is provided in fiscal year 2027 from the state government special revenue fund to the commissioner of health to support the licensure program.
Effective dates
- Licensure for professionals and for companies becomes effective January 1, 2028.
- Enforcement and related provisions follow under the amended statutes.
Significance / What this changes
- Establishes mandatory licensure for individuals and businesses performing emergency restoration work.
- Sets standards based on recognized industry certifications (IICRC) and ANSI/ICRC restoration guidelines.
- Introduces annual fees, a one-year license term, and renewal requirements.
- Creates oversight to improve consumer protection and public health in situations involving water, fire, or smoke damage.
- Provides funding and enforcement mechanisms to support the new licensure framework.
Relevant Terms emergency restoration services, emergency restoration professional, emergency restoration company, direct supervision, ANSIIICRC S500, ANSIIICRC S700, Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, structural drying, licensure, certification, non-transferable license, initial licensure, license renewal, fees, state government special revenue fund, commissioner of health, rulemaking, enforcement, fiscal year 2027, January 1, 2028, state health regulations, remedies.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 12, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Health Finance and Policy |
Citations
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"summary": "The remedies section cross-references enforcement of provisions in Chapter 103I; the bill indicates these may be enforced under 144.99.",
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]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee