HSB 98

This bill modifies provisions in Code chapter 105, which provides for the licensure and regulation of plumbers, mechanical professionals, and contractors by the plumbing and mechanical systems board. The bill defines a “farm” to refer to land, buildings, and structures used for agricultural purposes including but not limited to the storage, handling, and drying of grain and the care, feeding, and housing of livestock. The bill modifies the definition of “routine maintenance” to remove a provision stating that the term includes emergency repairs. Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of “routine maintenance” to provide that the term does not include the replacement of furnaces, boilers, cooling appliances, or water heaters, regardless of size.9, subsection 5, paragraph “a”, which requires the plumbing and mechanical systems board to submit a report including certain financial information to the general assembly within days of the end of a fiscal year and potentially adjust its fee schedules based on the financial information in the report. The bill establishes that the provisions of Code chapter 105 shall not apply to a person performing an installation on a farm, if the person is associated with the farm as a holder of legal or equitable interest, a relative or employee of the holder, or an operator or manager. Current law provides that in order to be licensed by the board as an apprentice, a person shall file an application that establishes that the person meets the minimum requirements adopted by the board. The bill provides that such minimum requirements to be established in an application include the receipt of a high school diploma or its equivalent. Current law provides that in order to be licensed by the board as a journeyperson, a person shall provide evidence of completing at least four years of practical experience as an apprentice through an apprenticeship training program registered by the United States department of labor. The bill provides that such requirement must be evidenced by a certificate of completion from the department of labor.33. The bill provides that state inspection shall not apply to routine maintenance. The bill requires the board to establish standards for the certification and decertification of plumbing and mechanical inspectors appointed by the state or a political subdivision to enforce the inspection provisions of the bill. _____ a journeyperson, or the standards applicable to a plumbing or mechanical inspector appointed by a political subdivision. The bill establishes procedural requirements for a licensed contractor or property owner making an installation to request a permit and an inspection and allows the board to adopt rules providing for the issuance of permits to a licensed contractor or property owner for multiple inspections, as described in the bill. The bill provides that if an inspector determines that an installation is in compliance with the accepted standards of construction for health safety and property safety, based on minimum standards established by the board, the inspector shall approve the installation. If an inspector finds that an inspection or portion thereof is not in compliance with such standards, the inspector shall issue a correction order which orders the licensed contractor or property owner to make the installation comply with the standards and provides a date when a new inspection shall be made. When the installation is brought into compliance, the inspector shall approve the installation. The bill specifies that nothing in the bill shall be construed to require the work of employees of municipal utilities, railroads, or rural water associations or districts to be inspected while acting within the scope of their employment. The board may by rule exempt specified types of new installations from the state inspection requirements, provided that a political subdivision conducting inspections shall not be prohibited from requiring inspection of such installations. The bill provides that state inspection shall not apply within the jurisdiction of any political subdivision which provides inspection services for installations subject to state inspection. A political subdivision may require inspections of installations not subject to state inspection, in addition to installations subject to state inspection.38 also includes provisions regarding the discontinuance of inspections by political subdivisions, the suspension or revocation of inspections by political subdivisions, and permit fees established by political subdivisions to pay for inspections. The bill requires that a political subdivision shall report to the board the name of every person who is practicing as a plumbing or mechanical professional without a license. Additionally, the bill excludes farms and farm residences from inspections by a political subdivision. The bill establishes certain state inspection procedural requirements, including provisions relating to inspection timing, installation concealment, state inspection procedures and policies, construction plan modification, inspector supervision, and the licensure verification database, as described in the bill. The bill requires the board to establish fees for permits and inspections. Inspection fees are to be paid to the board at or before the commencement of an inspection and included with the request for inspection. Inspection fees shall not apply to inspections within political subdivisions which provide for inspections. The bill authorizes any person to file a confidential complaint with the board alleging a violation of the bill or any rule adopted by the board and allows any person aggrieved by an order of an inspector or the board to appeal the order by filing a written notice of appeal with the board within days after the order was served. The bill also provides certain procedural requirements for such an appeal, as described in the bill. Pursuant to current law, the board may impose a civil penalty up to $5,000 per offense upon a person who violates the bill, following notice and an opportunity for a hearing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.