SF3719

Purpose

• Eliminate the Class A installer license from the electrical code and update the licensing framework for electrical work in Minnesota. The bill also reorganizes how licenses are categorized, how the state adopts electrical codes, and how fees and renewals are handled.

Main Provisions

• Replace and update board powers:
  • The board (related to electrical licensure) gains authority to adopt the Minnesota Electrical Code (the current National Electrical Code and amendments), set licensure rules for electrical businesses and various worker classifications, establish continuing education requirements, advise on educational needs for electrical inspectors, refer complaints to the commissioner, and manage per diem, reciprocity, and fee recommendations.
  • The commissioner of labor and industry remains responsible for administering and enforcing most provisions, with staff support and office space provided by the commissioner.
• Licensure categories and rules:
  • The board will regulate licensure or registration for electrical businesses, electrical contractors, master electricians, journeyworker electricians, Class A installer, Class B installer, power limited technicians, and other workers who perform electrical work (with some exceptions).
  • The bill emphasizes continuing education for these roles and coordination with other state boards on rulemaking.
• Fees, expiration, and renewal:
  • Establishes a schedule for expiration/renewal of licenses and registrations (details below) and a new fee framework for filing a certificate of responsible person ($100 per filing).
  • Reclassifies how different licenses are counted for fee purposes (entry-level, journeyworker, master, business licenses).
• Repeals and removals:
  • Repeals specific outdated provisions related to Class A installer licensing (326B.31 Subd. 7 and 326B.33 Subd. 3).
  • Removes the Class A installer license from the statutory framework; the Appendix text describes the former Class A installer definition and its prior scope, including a grandfathering note for existing licenses prior to a certain date.
• Renewal and expiration changes:
  • Updates expiration dates for various licenses (examples in the text):
  • Master licenses: expire March 1 of odd-numbered years after issuance.
  • Electrical contractor licenses: expire March 1 of even-numbered years after issuance.
  • Technology system contractor and satellite system contractor licenses: expire August 1 of even-numbered years after issuance.
  • All other personal licenses: expire two years from issuance, then every two years.
  • Registrations for unlicensed individuals: expire one year from issuance, then annually.
  • For fee calculations, certain licenses are recategorized (e.g., Class A/B master/journeyworker licenses, business licenses) for purposes of license fee assessment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Class A installer license eliminated:
  • The bill removes the Class A installer license from the licensing framework and repeals related statutory subdivisions.
  • A historical note in the bill’s appendix references prior definitions and grandfathering for existing Class A installer license holders, but no new Class A installer licenses would be issued under the updated framework.
• Broader board authority and oversight:
  • The board gains explicit authority to regulate licensure, ongoing education, interpretations of code, and advisory roles, with stronger integration into rulemaking and coordination with other boards.
• Code adoption and enforcement structure:
  • The Minnesota Electrical Code must align with the most current NEC and amendments, aligning state practice with a national standard.
  • The commissioner remains the administrator/enforcer with staff support, maintaining centralized oversight.
• Fee structure and renewal timing:
  • Introduces a standardized fee system and a per-filing fee, along with clearer renewal timelines for multiple license types.

Relevant context notes - The bill repeals specific sections (326B.31 Subd. 7 and 326B.33 Subd. 3) related to Class A installer licensing. - It requires the board to adopt ongoing education and establish rulemaking to regulate licensure, continuing education, and complaint handling.

Relevant Terms - Class A installer - Minnesota Electrical Code - National Electrical Code (NEC) - Minnesota Statutes 326B.32, 326B.33, 326B.31 - Board (Electrical licensure board) - Commissioner of Labor and Industry - Electrical contractor - Master electrician - Journeyworker electrician - Class B installer - Power limited technician - Technology systems contractor - Satellite system contractor - Licensure, registration, renewal - Continuing education - Per diem and expenses - License reciprocity - Certificate of responsible person - Expiration dates (March 1, odd/even years; August 1) - Repeal (removal of Class A installer definitions) - Unlicensed individual registrations - Rulemaking and staff support