Minnesota Session Laws - 2012, Regular Session

CHAPTER 262--S.F.No. 2324

An act

relating to occupational licensing; modifying electrical licenses;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 326B.31, subdivision 14, by adding subdivisions; 326B.33, subdivisions 17, 19, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.31, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Contractor.

"Contractor" means a person who performs or offers to perform any electrical work, with or without compensation, who is licensed as a contractor by the commissioner. A contractor's license does not of itself qualify its holder to perform or supervise the electrical work authorized by holding any class of electrician's or other personal license. Contractor includes electrical contractors new text begin , satellite system contractors, new text end and technology system contractors.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.31, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 31. new text end

new text begin Satellite broadcast communication system. new text end

new text begin "Satellite broadcast communication system" means antenna and receiving equipment for a residential dwelling to receive and transmit communication signals from satellite sources as covered by the National Electrical Code. Satellite broadcast communication system is a subset of technology circuits and systems. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.31, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 32. new text end

new text begin Satellite system installer. new text end

new text begin "Satellite system installer" means an individual having the necessary training, knowledge, and experience to plan, lay out, supervise, and install, maintain, and repair wiring, apparatus, and equipment for satellite broadcast communication systems. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.31, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 33. new text end

new text begin Satellite system contractor. new text end

new text begin "Satellite system contractor" means a licensed contractor whose responsible licensed individual is a licensed satellite system installer. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.33, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7a. new text end

new text begin Satellite system installer. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as otherwise provided by law, no individual shall install, alter, repair, plan, lay out, or supervise the installing, altering, repairing, planning, or laying out of electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment for satellite broadcast communication systems unless: new text end

new text begin (1) the electrical work is for a licensed contractor and the individual is an employee, partner, or officer of, or is the licensed contractor; and new text end

new text begin (2)(i) the individual provides certification to the department demonstrating successful completion of the National Standards and Testing Program for satellite system installers sponsored by the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America, Inc. or other program approved by the board and (ii) has passed an examination administered by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (b) Individuals who fulfill the requirements of this subdivision under paragraph (a), clause (2), are prohibited from performing any other function allowed under the power limited technician license. new text end

new text begin (c) Satellite system installers shall be subject to the fees provided for under section 326B.33, subdivision 19, paragraph (b), clause (2). new text end

new text begin (d) Satellite system installers must attain four hours of continuing education under rules adopted by the Board of Electricity. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.33, subdivision 17, is amended to read:

Subd. 17.

Employment of master electrician new text begin , satellite system installer, new text end or power limited technician.

(a) Each contractor must designate a responsible master electrician new text begin , satellite system installer, new text end or power limited technician, who shall be responsible for the performance of all electrical work in accordance with the requirements of sections 326B.31 to 326B.399, all rules adopted under these sections, and all orders issued under section 326B.082. The classes of work that a licensed contractor is authorized to perform shall be limited to the classes of work that the responsible master electrician new text begin , satellite system installer, new text end or power limited electrician is licensed to perform.

(b) When a contractor's license is held by an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation and the individual, proprietor, one of the partners, one of the members, or an officer of the corporation, respectively, is not the responsible master electrician or power limited technician, all requests for inspection shall be signed by the responsible master electrician new text begin , satellite system installer, new text end or power limited technician. If the contractor is an individual or a sole proprietorship, the responsible licensed individual must be the individual, proprietor, or managing employee. If the contractor is a partnership, the responsible licensed individual must be a general partner or managing employee. If the licensed contractor is a limited liability company, the responsible licensed individual must be a chief manager or managing employee. If the contractor is a corporation, the responsible licensed individual must be an officer or managing employee. If the responsible licensed individual is a managing employee, the responsible licensed individual must be actively engaged in performing electrical work on behalf of the contractor, and cannot be employed in any capacity as an electrician new text begin , installer, new text end or technician by any other contractor or employer designated in subdivision 21. An individual may be the responsible licensed individual for only one contractor or employer.

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

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 326B.33, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

Subd. 19.

License, registration, and renewal fees; expiration.

(a) Unless revoked or suspended under this chapter, all licenses issued or renewed under this section expire on the date specified in this subdivision. Master licenses expire March 1 of each odd-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Electrical contractor licenses expire March 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. Technology system contractor new text begin and satellite system contractor new text end licenses expire August 1 of each even-numbered year after issuance or renewal. All other personal licenses expire two years from the date of original issuance and every two years thereafter. Registrations of unlicensed individuals expire one year from the date of original issuance and every year thereafter.

(b) For purposes of calculating license fees and renewal license fees required under section 326B.092:

(1) the registration of an unlicensed individual under subdivision 12 shall be considered an entry level license;

(2) the following licenses shall be considered journeyman licenses: Class A journeyman electrician, Class B journeyman electrician, Class A installer, Class B installer, elevator constructor, lineman, maintenance electrician, new text begin satellite system installer, new text end and power limited technician;

(3) the following licenses shall be considered master licenses: Class A master electrician, Class B master electrician, and master elevator constructor; and

(4) the following licenses shall be considered business licenses: Class A electrical contractor, Class B electrical contractor, elevator contractor, new text begin satellite system contractor, new text end and technology systems contractor.

(c) For each filing of a certificate of responsible person by an employer, the fee is $100.

Sec. 8.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 7 are effective October 1, 2012. new text end

Presented to the governor April 27, 2012

Signed by the governor May 1, 2012, 1:47 p.m.