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HF 805

1st Engrossment - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/02/2017 04:15pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Bill Text Versions

Engrossments
Introduction Posted on 02/06/2017
1st Engrossment Posted on 03/02/2017

Current Version - 1st Engrossment

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A bill for an act
relating to construction codes; modifying water conditioning installation
requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 326B.435, subdivision
2; 326B.50, subdivision 3, by adding subdivisions; 326B.55, subdivisions 2, 4;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 326B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 326B.435, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Powers; duties; administrative support.

(a) The board shall have the power
to:

(1) elect its chair, vice-chair, and secretary;

(2) adopt bylaws that specify the duties of its officers, the meeting dates of the board,
and containing such other provisions as may be useful and necessary for the efficient conduct
of the business of the board;

(3) adopt the Plumbing Code that must be followed in this state and any Plumbing Code
amendments thereto. The Plumbing Code shall include the minimum standards described
in sections 326B.43, subdivision 1, and 326B.52, subdivision 1. The board shall adopt the
Plumbing Code and any amendments thereto pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in
subdivision 6, paragraphs (b), (c), and (d);

(4) review requests for final interpretations and issue final interpretations as provided
in section 326B.127, subdivision 5;

(5) adopt rules that regulate the licensure, certification, or registration of plumbing
contractors, journeymen, unlicensed individuals, master plumbers, restricted master plumbers,
restricted journeymen, restricted plumbing contractors, backflow prevention rebuilders and
testers, water conditioning contractors, and water conditioning installers, and other persons
engaged in the design, installation, and alteration of plumbing systems or engaged in or
working at the business of water conditioning installation or service, or engaged in or
working at the business of medical gas system installation, maintenance, or repair, except
for those individuals licensed under section 326.02, subdivisions 2 and 3. The board shall
adopt these rules pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in subdivision 6, paragraphs (e)
and (f);

(6) adopt rules that regulate continuing education for individuals licensed as master
plumbers, journeyman plumbers, restricted master plumbers, restricted journeyman plumbers,
new text begin registered unlicensed individuals, new text end water conditioning deleted text begin contractorsdeleted text end new text begin mastersnew text end , and water
conditioning deleted text begin installersdeleted text end new text begin journeymannew text end , and for individuals certified under sections 326B.437
and 326B.438. The board shall adopt these rules pursuant to chapter 14 and as provided in
subdivision 6, paragraphs (e) and (f);

(7) refer complaints or other communications to the commissioner, whether oral or
written, as provided in subdivision 8, that allege or imply a violation of a statute, rule, or
order that the commissioner has the authority to enforce pertaining to code compliance,
licensure, or an offering to perform or performance of unlicensed plumbing services;

(8) approve per diem and expenses deemed necessary for its members as provided in
subdivision 3;

(9) approve license reciprocity agreements;

(10) select from its members individuals to serve on any other state advisory council,
board, or committee; and

(11) recommend the fees for licenses, registrations, and certifications.

Except for the powers granted to the Plumbing Board, the Board of Electricity, and the
Board of High Pressure Piping Systems, the commissioner of labor and industry shall
administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter and any rules promulgated pursuant
thereto.

(b) The board shall comply with section 15.0597, subdivisions 2 and 4.

(c) The commissioner shall coordinate the board's rulemaking and recommendations
with the recommendations and rulemaking conducted by the other boards created pursuant
to this chapter. The commissioner shall provide staff support to the board. The support
includes professional, legal, technical, and clerical staff necessary to perform rulemaking
and other duties assigned to the board. The commissioner of labor and industry shall supply
necessary office space and supplies to assist the board in its duties.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 326B.50, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Water conditioning installation.

"Water conditioning installation" means the
installation of appliances, appurtenances, and fixtures designed to treat water so as to alter,
modify, add or remove mineral, chemical or bacterial content, said installation to be made
in a water distribution system servingnew text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1)new text end a single family residential unit, which has been initially established by a licensed
plumber, and does not involve a direct connection without an air gap to a soil or waste pipedeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
or
new text end

new text begin (2) a multifamily or nonresidential building, where the plumbing installation has been
initially established by a licensed plumber. Isolation valves shall be required for all water
conditioning installations and shall be readily accessible. Water conditioning installation
does not include:
new text end

new text begin (i) a valve that allows isolation of the water conditioning installation;
new text end

new text begin (ii) piping greater than two-inch nominal pipe size; or
new text end

new text begin (iii) a direct connection without an air gap to a soil or waste pipe.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 326B.50, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:


new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Direct supervision. new text end

new text begin "Direct supervision," with respect to direct supervision of
a registered unlicensed individual, means that:
new text end

new text begin (1) at all times while the registered unlicensed individual is performing water conditioning
installation work, a direct supervisor is present at the location where the registered unlicensed
individual is working;
new text end

new text begin (2) the direct supervisor is physically present and immediately available to the registered
unlicensed individual at all times for assistance and direction;
new text end

new text begin (3) any form of electronic supervision does not meet the requirement of being physically
present;
new text end

new text begin (4) the direct supervisor reviews the water conditioning installation work performed by
the registered unlicensed individual before the water conditioning installation is operated;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) the direct supervisor determines that all water conditioning installation work
performed by the registered unlicensed individual is performed in compliance with sections
326B.50 to 326B.59, all rules adopted under these sections, the Minnesota Plumbing Code,
and all orders issued under section 326B.082.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 326B.50, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:


new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Direct supervisor. new text end

new text begin "Direct supervisor" means a master plumber, journeyman
plumber, restricted master plumber, restricted journeyman plumber, water conditioning
master, or water conditioning journeyman responsible for providing direct supervision of
a registered unlicensed individual.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 326B.55, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Qualifications for licensing.

(a) A water conditioning master license shall be
issued only to an individual who has demonstrated skill in planning, superintending, deleted text begin anddeleted text end
servicingnew text begin , and installingnew text end water conditioning installations, and has successfully passed the
examination for water conditioning masters. A water conditioning journeyman license shall
only be issued to an individual other than a water conditioning master who has demonstrated
practical knowledge of water conditioning installation, and has successfully passed the
examination for water conditioning journeymen. A water conditioning journeyman must
successfully pass the examination for water conditioning masters before being licensed as
a water conditioning master.

(b) Each water conditioning contractor must designate a responsible licensed master
plumber or a responsible licensed water conditioning master, who shall be responsible for
the performance of all water conditioning installation and servicing in accordance with the
requirements of sections 326B.50 to 326B.59, all rules adopted under sections 326B.50 to
326B.59, the Minnesota Plumbing Code, and all orders issued under section 326B.082. If
the water conditioning contractor is an individual or sole proprietorship, the responsible
licensed master must be the individual, proprietor, or managing employee. If the water
conditioning contractor is a partnership, the responsible licensed master must be a general
partner or managing employee. If the water conditioning contractor is a limited liability
company, the responsible licensed master must be a chief manager or managing employee.
If the water conditioning contractor is a corporation, the responsible licensed master must
be an officer or managing employee. If the responsible licensed master is a managing
employee, the responsible licensed master must be actively engaged in performing water
conditioning work on behalf of the water conditioning contractor and cannot be employed
in any capacity as a water conditioning master or water conditioning journeyman for any
other water conditioning contractor. An individual must not be the responsible licensed
master for more than one water conditioning contractor.

(c) All applications and renewals for water conditioning contractor licenses shall include
a verified statement that the applicant or licensee has complied with paragraph (b).

(d) Each application and renewal for a water conditioning master license, water
conditioning journeyman license, or a water conditioning contractor license shall be
accompanied by all fees required by section 326B.092.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 326B.55, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Plumber's apprentices.

(a) A plumber's apprentice who is registered under
section 326B.47 is authorized to assist in water conditioning installation and water
conditioning servicing only while under the direct supervision of a master plumber,
journeyman plumber, new text begin restricted master plumber, restricted journeyman plumber, new text end water
conditioning master, or water conditioning journeyman. The master or journeyman is
responsible for ensuring that all water conditioning work performed by the plumber's
apprentice complies with the plumbing code and rules adopted under sections 326B.50 to
326B.59. The supervising master or journeyman must be licensed and must be employed
by the same employer as the plumber's apprentice. Licensed individuals shall not permit
plumber's apprentices to perform water conditioning work except under the direct supervision
of an individual actually licensed to perform such work. Plumber's apprentices shall not
supervise the performance of plumbing work or make assignments of plumbing work to
unlicensed individuals.

(b) Water conditioning contractors employing plumber's apprentices to perform water
conditioning work shall maintain records establishing compliance with this subdivision that
shall identify all plumber's apprentices performing water conditioning work, and shall permit
the department to examine and copy all such records.

Sec. 7.

new text begin [326B.555] REGISTERED UNLICENSED INDIVIDUALS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Registration; supervision; records. new text end

new text begin (a) All unlicensed individuals
engaged in water conditioning installation must be registered under subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (b) A registered unlicensed individual is authorized to assist in water conditioning
installations in a single family residential unit only when a master plumber, journeyman
plumber, restricted master plumber, restricted journeyman plumber, water conditioning
master, or water conditioning journeyman is available and responsible for ensuring that all
water conditioning installation work performed by the unlicensed individual complies with
the applicable provisions of the plumbing and water conditioning codes and rules adopted
pursuant to such codes. For all other water conditioning installation work, the registered
unlicensed individual must be under the direct supervision of a responsible licensed water
conditioning master.
new text end

new text begin (c) Water conditioning contractors employing registered unlicensed individuals to perform
water conditioning installation work shall maintain records establishing compliance with
this subdivision that shall identify all unlicensed individuals performing water conditioning
installations, and shall permit the department to examine and copy all such records.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Journeyman exam. new text end

new text begin A registered unlicensed individual who has completed
875 hours of practical water conditioning installation, servicing, and training is eligible to
take the water conditioning journeyman examination. Up to 100 hours of practical water
conditioning installation and servicing experience prior to becoming a registered unlicensed
individual may be applied to the practical experience requirement. However, none of this
practical experience may be applied if the unlicensed individual did not have any practical
experience in the 12-month period immediately prior to becoming a registered unlicensed
individual.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Registration, renewals, and fees. new text end

new text begin An unlicensed individual may register by
completing and submitting to the commissioner an application form provided by the
commissioner, with all fees required by section 326B.58. A completed application form
must state the date, the individual's age, schooling, previous experience and employer, and
other information required by the commissioner. The plumbing board may prescribe rules,
not inconsistent with this section, for the registration of unlicensed individuals. Applications
for initial registration may be submitted at any time. Registration must be renewed annually
and shall be for the period from July 1 of each year to June 30 of the following year.
new text end