HF 3214

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/12/2018 04:24pm

A bill for an act
relating to labor and industry; modifying backflow rebuilder designations; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 326B.437; Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement,
section 326B.42, subdivision 1b.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 326B.42, subdivision 1b, is
amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Backflow prevention rebuilder.

A "backflow prevention rebuilder" is an
individual who is qualified by training prescribed by the Plumbing Board deleted text begin and possesses a
master or journeyworker plumber's license deleted text end to engage in the testing, maintenance, and
rebuilding of reduced pressure zone type backflow prevention assemblies as regulated by
the Plumbing Code.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 326B.437, is amended to read:

326B.437 REDUCED PRESSURE BACKFLOW PREVENTION REBUILDERS
AND TESTERS.

(a) deleted text begin No person shall perform or offer to perform the installation, maintenance, repair,
replacement, or rebuilding of reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assemblies unless
the person obtains a plumbing contractor's license. deleted text end An individual shall not engage in the
testing, maintenance, repair, or rebuilding of reduced pressure zone backflow prevention
assemblies, as regulated by the Plumbing Code, unless the individual is certified by the
commissioner as a backflow prevention rebuilder.

(b) An individual shall not engage in testing of a reduced pressure zone backflow
prevention assembly, as regulated by the Plumbing Code, unless the individual possesses
a backflow prevention rebuilder certificate or is certified by the commissioner as a backflow
prevention tester.

(c) Certificates are issued for an initial period of two years and must be renewed every
two years thereafter for as long as the certificate holder installs, maintains, repairs, rebuilds,
or tests reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assemblies. For purposes of calculating
fees under section 326B.092, an initial or renewed backflow prevention rebuilder or tester
certificate shall be considered an entry level license.

(d) The Plumbing Board shall adopt expedited rules under section 14.389 that are related
to the certification of backflow prevention rebuilders and backflow prevention testers.
Section 326B.13, subdivision 8, does not apply to these rules. Notwithstanding the 18-month
limitation under section 14.125, this authority expires on December 31, 2014.

(e) The department shall recognize certification programs that are a minimum of 16
contact hours and include the passage of an examination. The examination must consist of
a practical and a written component. This paragraph expires when the Plumbing Board
adopts rules under paragraph (d).